Dendriter

Dendriter is a term used to describe tree-like, branched structures that occur in several contexts, most notably in neuroscience as the dendrites of neurons and in materials science as dendritic crystal formations during solidification.

In neuroscience, dendriter refers to the dendrites: slender, elongated processes that extend from the neuronal cell body and receive synaptic inputs. They form a dendritic arbor with varying branching patterns and surface area, and they host a high diversity of receptors and ion channels that shape signal integration. Dendrites transmit signals to the soma and can support local electrical events, including backpropagating action potentials and dendritic spikes in some neurons. Dendritic spines, small protrusions on many dendrites, provide postsynaptic sites for most excitatory synapses. Dendritic structure is highly dynamic, changing with development, learning, and experience, a property known as dendritic plasticity.

In materials science, dendritic growth refers to tree-like crystal formations that arise during the solidification of many metals and alloys. Dendrites originate from a seed crystal and grow along preferred crystallographic directions, creating primary arms with finer secondary branches. The spacing and morphology of dendrites depend on cooling rate, temperature gradient, and alloy composition. Dendritic microstructures influence mechanical properties, including strength, toughness, and anisotropy, as well as porosity and solute distribution. Process control during casting and solidification aims to manage dendrite size and spacing to achieve desired material performance.

Dendritic patterns also appear in ice crystals and polymer crystallization, reflecting a common diffusion-driven growth mechanism.