dendrite

[ den-drahyt ]

noun

1. Petrology, Mineralogy.
   1. a branching figure or marking, resembling moss or a shrub or tree in form, found on or in certain stones or minerals due to the presence of a foreign material.
   2. any arborescent crystalline growth.
2. Anatomy. the branching process of a neuron that conducts impulses toward the cell.

dendrite

/ ˈdɛndraɪt; dɛnˈdrɪtɪk /

noun

1. Also calleddendron any of the short branched threadlike extensions of a nerve cell, which conduct impulses towards the cell body
2. a branching mosslike crystalline structure in some rocks and minerals
3. a crystal that has branched during growth and has a treelike form

dendrite

/ dĕn′drīt′ /

1. Any of several parts branching from the body of a neuron that receive and transmit nerve impulses.
2. A mineral that has a branching crystal pattern. Dendrites often form within or on the surface of other minerals and often consist of manganese oxides.

Derived Forms

• denˈdritically, adverb
• dendritic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dendrite¹

1720–30; < Greek dendrī́tēs pertaining to a tree, equivalent to dendr- dendr- + -ītēs -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of dendrite¹

C18: from Greek dendritēs relating to a tree

Example Sentences

An analysis of these crucial moments revealed a microscopic upheaval in the dendrite.

From Science Daily

Upon activation, local ribosomes jump onto mRNAs, an action that has all the biochemical hallmarks of memory formation, and which models predicted will cause the dendrite to produce not only new proteins, but 1,000 small proteins known as micropeptides, with as-yet unknown function.

From Science Daily

Among the many observations that researchers will unpack in future studies, one stood out: the team noted that a certain protein stood out for its prolific binding of mRNA in the dendrite.

From Science Daily

The study reveals the Alex3/Gαq mitochondrial complex interacts with the mitochondria machinery to distribute and transport these cell organelles along the neurons' axons and dendrite.

From Science Daily

The research team found that SCFAs such as acetic, propionic, butyric and valeric acids induce dendrite elongation by inhibiting an enzyme called histone deacetylase.

From Science Daily