What are the short fibers that extend from a nerve cell called?

The correct answer, dendrites, refers to the short, branching fibers that extend from the cell body of a neuron. Dendrites serve a crucial role in the functioning of nerve cells by receiving signals or information from other neurons and transmitting this information toward the cell body. This structural characteristic allows for the integration of synaptic inputs from various sources, contributing to how neurons work together in the nervous system.

In contrast, axons, which are also part of a neuron, are typically longer fibers that carry incoming signals away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands. Synapses are not fibers but are the junctions where communication between neurons occurs. Neurons themselves are the entire nerve cells, including both the cell body and its extending fibers, making them a broader category than just the Dendrites. Understanding these differences is essential for grasping how the nervous system operates.