Dendrite (IMAGE)

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Dendrite

Caption

This picture shows 3-D reconstructions of electron microscope images of tree branch-like dendrites. At the end of the branches are cup-like structures called the spines, and in the tips of the spines are synapses. By studying thousands of images like these, the Wisconsin researchers showed that the synapses shrink after the mouse sleeps and grow again during the next wakeful period.

Credit

Credit: Wisconsin Center for Sleep and Consciousness.

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