Differentiate between dendrites and axons.

Dendrites and axons are two fundamental components of neurons, the specialized cells in the nervous system responsible for transmitting electrical and chemical signals. They play distinct roles in the communication between neurons and are crucial for the functioning of the nervous system. Here's a differentiation between dendrites and axons:

Structure:

Dendrites: Dendrites are short, branched, and tree-like extensions that extend from the cell body (soma) of a neuron. They have numerous small protrusions called dendritic spines, which increase their surface area for receiving incoming signals.
Axons: Axons are typically long, single, slender, cable-like extensions that also emerge from the cell body but are usually unbranched. They can extend over long distances, facilitating the transmission of signals over a wider area.
Function:

Dendrites: The primary function of dendrites is to receive incoming signals from other neurons or sensory receptors. They act as receptors for neurotransmitters released by neighboring neurons, converting these chemical signals into electrical signals. Dendrites integrate these incoming signals to determine whether the neuron will generate an action potential (an electrical impulse).
Axons: Axons transmit signals away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands. They carry the electrical impulses generated in the cell body (if the signal integration is sufficient) along their length to their terminal endings, where they communicate with the next neuron or effector organ.
Conductivity:

Dendrites: Dendrites are typically not capable of conducting action potentials over long distances. They function mainly to propagate graded potentials, which are local changes in membrane potential that result from neurotransmitter binding.
Axons: Axons are specialized for the rapid and efficient conduction of action potentials. They have a long, insulated structure called the axon hillock, which allows the action potential to propagate along its length without losing strength.
Myelination:

Dendrites: Dendrites are not typically myelinated. They lack the fatty myelin sheath that surrounds many axons, as their primary role is to receive and integrate signals.
Axons: Many axons are myelinated, especially in the vertebrate nervous system. Myelin sheaths, formed by glial cells (oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system and Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system), insulate the axon and enable saltatory conduction, which significantly speeds up the transmission of action potentials.
In summary, dendrites are specialized for receiving and integrating incoming signals, while axons are specialized for transmitting those signals over long distances. Together, these two structures allow neurons to communicate and form complex networks in the nervous system, enabling various physiological processes and behaviors.