Which structure on a neuron is responsible for receiving impulses from other neurons?

The structure responsible for receiving impulses from other neurons is the dendrite. Dendrites are specialized extensions of a neuron that branch out from the cell body, increasing the surface area for receiving signals from other neurons. When a neurotransmitter is released from the synapse of a neighboring neuron, it binds to receptors on the dendrites, triggering changes in the receiving neuron and allowing for the transmission of signals.

Dendrites play a critical role in the functioning of the nervous system by integrating the signals they receive, which can either be excitatory or inhibitory. This integration is essential for the neuron's response and the overall processing of information in the brain.

In contrast, the axon is responsible for transmitting electrical impulses away from the cell body to other neurons or muscles. The soma, or cell body, contains the neuron's nucleus and integrates signals but is not directly involved in receiving impulses. Lastly, the synapse is the junction between two neurons where communication occurs, but it does not actively participate in receiving signals; rather, it is where the release and binding of neurotransmitters take place.