<p>More dendritic input makes a neuron more suitable as an <strong>integrator</strong>. The more dendrites a neuron has, however, the less faithful it will transmit a single incoming signal, as other incoming input may interfere with transmission. Hence, a neuron with a single dendrite will be better suited to faithfully <strong>relay</strong> incoming signals.  </p>

<p>Among the most faithful neurons are the <strong>cone <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retina_bipolar_cell" rel="nofollow">bipolar cells</a></strong> in  the central part of the retina, who receive a single input and transmit a single output <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10850/" rel="nofollow">(Purves <em>et al</em>., 2001)</a> via a single axon to the retinal ganglion cell who's axons make up the optic nerve, while on the other end of the spectrum there are, <em>e.g.</em>, the <strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purkinje_cell" rel="nofollow">Purkinje cells</a></strong> in the cerebellum that can receive input from as many as 80,000 fibers <a href="http://www.pnas.org/content/87/7/2662.full.pdf" rel="nofollow">(Konnerth <em>et. al</em>, 1998)</a>.</p>

<p><sub><strong>References</strong><br>
<strong>-</strong> <a href="http://www.pnas.org/content/87/7/2662.full.pdf" rel="nofollow">Konnerth <em>et. al</em>, <em>PNAS</em> (1998); <strong>87</strong>: 2662-5</a><br>
<strong>-</strong> <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10850/" rel="nofollow">Purves <em>et al</em>. (eds.), editors. <em>Neuroscience</em>. 2<sup>nd</sup> ed. Sunderland (MA): Sinauer Associates (2001) Functional Specialization of the Rod and Cone Systems</a></sub> </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-01T14:15:33.387Z
I thought lateral inhibition was due to inhibitory input to the bipolar cells, making them not perfectly faithful. I was always taught that the spherical bushy cell in the auditory system was the most faithful, but then again, I am an auditory person taught by auditory people.
StrongBad
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-08T18:41:32.733Z
@StrongBad - I don't claim bipolars are *the* most faithful - I say 'among the most faithful...' so I guess I'm on the side side of things.
AliceD
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-05T21:38:49.363Z
2016-07-05T06:53:00.627Z
2016-07-05T06:53:00.627Z
AliceD
<p>What advantages does a neuron with multiple dendrites have, as opposed to one with fewer dendrites?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-19T23:47:39.530Z
In terms of computational power?
Seanny123
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-30T08:32:11.493Z
more than one dendrite helps to take in more than one information and helps your body process information faster
user17137
<neurophysiology>
What advantages does a neuron with multiple dendrites have?
Bigals62
# What advantages does a neuron with multiple dendrites have?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-01-19)

What advantages does a neuron with multiple dendrites have, as opposed to one with fewer dendrites?

**Tags:** neurophysiology

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: In terms of computational power?  
> **username_2**: more than one dendrite helps to take in more than one information and helps your body process information faster  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2016-06-05. Score: 6

More dendritic input makes a neuron more suitable as an **integrator**. The more dendrites a neuron has, however, the less faithful it will transmit a single incoming signal, as other incoming input may interfere with transmission. Hence, a neuron with a single dendrite will be better suited to faithfully **relay** incoming signals.

Among the most faithful neurons are the **cone [bipolar cells](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retina_bipolar_cell)** in the central part of the retina, who receive a single input and transmit a single output [(Purves *et al*., 2001)](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10850/) via a single axon to the retinal ganglion cell who's axons make up the optic nerve, while on the other end of the spectrum there are, *e.g.*, the **[Purkinje cells](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purkinje_cell)** in the cerebellum that can receive input from as many as 80,000 fibers [(Konnerth *et. al*, 1998)](http://www.pnas.org/content/87/7/2662.full.pdf).

**References**  
**-** [Konnerth *et. al*, *PNAS* (1998); **87**: 2662-5](http://www.pnas.org/content/87/7/2662.full.pdf)  
**-** [Purves *et al*. (eds.), editors. *Neuroscience*. 2nd ed. Sunderland (MA): Sinauer Associates (2001) Functional Specialization of the Rod and Cone Systems](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10850/)

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: I thought lateral inhibition was due to inhibitory input to the bipolar cells, making them not perfectly faithful. I was always taught that the spherical bushy cell in the auditory system was the most faithful, but then again, I am an auditory person taught by auditory people.  
> **username_3**: @username_4 - I don't claim bipolars are *the* most faithful - I say 'among the most faithful...' so I guess I'm on the side side of things.  

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