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Differences between an axon and a dendrite?

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The difference between Dendrite and Axon are given below:

Dendrite:

1. Dendrites are branched or unbranched structures arise from cyton.

2. These carry impulse towards the cell body.

3. Dendrties devoid of myelin sheath and are not insulated.

4. Nissl's granules are neart he site of origin Node of Ranvier absent.

5. Dendrites are small.

Axon:

1. Axons are branched at the tail ends.

2. They carry impulse away from the cyton.

3. They may be myelinated or non-myelinated.

4. Nissl's granules absent and node of Ranvier present.

5. These are long and big in size.

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 Both Axon and Dendrite are processes of a neuron, however, they have some contrasting characters as described below.

 

Structure of Typical Neuron

 

Axon:

  1. Only one axon is present in a neuron.
  2. It is a thin long process of uniform thickness and smooth surface.
  3. The branches of axon are fewer and at right angles to the axon.
  4. Axon contains neurofibrils and no Nissl’s granules.
  5. It forms the efferent component of the impulse.

Dendrite

  1. Dendrites are usually multiple in number in a neuron.
  2. These are short multiple processes. Their thickness diminishes as these divide repeatedly. The branches are studded with spiny projections.
  3. The dendrites branch profusely and are given off at acute angles.
  4. Dendrites contain both neurofibrils and Nissl’s granules.
  5. Dendrites form the afferent component of the impulse


Hope this helps!
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