Question

How are dendrites synthesized in a neuron?

Answer 1

Answer:

The processing power of the mammalian brain is derived from the tremendous interconnectivity of its neurons. An individual neuron can have several thousand synaptic connections. While these associations yield computational power, it is the modification of these synapses that gives rise to the brain's capacity to learn, remember and even recover function after injury. Inter-connectivity and plasticity come at the price of increased complexity as small groups of synapses are strengthened and weakened independently of one another (Fig. 1). When one considers that new protein synthesis is required for the long-term maintenance of these changes, the delivery of new proteins to the synapses where they are needed poses an interesting problem (Fig. 1). Traditionally, it has been thought that the new proteins are synthesized in the cell body of the neuron and then shipped to where they are needed. Delivering proteins from the cell body to the modified synapses, but not the unmodified ones, is a difficult task. Recent studies suggest a simpler solution: dendrites themselves are capable of synthesizing proteins. Thus, proteins could be produced locally, at or near the synapses where they are needed. This is an elegant way to achieve the synapse specific delivery of newly synthesized proteins.

Explanation: