Which term best describes a neuron’s ability to receive signals from other neurons?

The term that best describes a neuron's ability to receive signals from other neurons is neuronal reception. This process involves the detection of chemical signals, or neurotransmitters, released by the axon terminals of adjacent neurons. When these neurotransmitters bind to specific receptors on the postsynaptic neuron's membrane, they can lead to changes in the electrical state of that neuron, prompting it to either become excited (depolarized) or inhibited (hyperpolarized). This capability is crucial for the communication and processing of information within the nervous system.

Signal transmission refers to the process of sending action potentials along the axon of the neuron rather than the reception of signals. Neurotransmission specifically describes the release and binding of neurotransmitters between neurons, which is a critical part of the overall process but not synonymous with the reception of signals. Action potential refers to the rapid electrical signal that travels along the axon when a neuron is activated, rather than the process of receiving signals from other neurons. Thus, neuronal reception accurately captures the process of how neurons receive and interpret communicative signals from one another.