Neuron: It is structural and functional unit of the nervous system. Though there are many type of neurons in human nervous system; typical the neuron consists of receiving unit (dentrites), processing unit (cell body), transportation unit (axon), and transmission unit (presynaptic axon terminal).
Receiving Unit of Neuron: The neuron cell body or the soma has several branching processes extending out from it which are called as dendrites. Input from other neuron is received by the cell body mainly via dendrites. At time input are conveyed directly on the soma. But the large arborization of dentrites offers much a larger surface area for inputs. In a sense the basic function of dendrites is to increase the range of receptivity of a neuron.