Paul Stamets

Maitake can achieve humongous sizes, sometimes up to 50 pounds per specimen! Massive maitake can form annually from dying dendritic tree roots for many years, even decades.

American Scientist

Imagine 'dendritic' as branches spreading from the trunk of a tree to understand its shape implications.

Visualize Branches

Recognize 'dendritic' patterns in nature, like river systems or leaf veins, to grasp its real-world application.

Patterns in Nature

'Dendritic' isn't limited to physical objects; it's also used in abstract contexts, like discussing ideas or plans.

Abstract Usage

In medical contexts, 'dendritic' often refers to specific immune system cells, not just any cell with branches.

Biology Specific

Understand that 'dendritic' cells have a key role in starting immune responses, not just any function.

Immune Function

Dendritic cells are microscopic; 'dendritic' doesn't imply visibility to the naked eye in medical contexts.

Not Always Visible

'Dendritic' in geology specifically describes a mineral's branch-like crystal pattern, not its size or color.

Crystal Shape

Dendritic crystals form under certain conditions; understanding this can clarify why not all crystals are 'dendritic'.

Formation Process

 which coordinate a two-pronged attack. First, phagocytes trigger the immune response by sending macrophages and dendritic cells into the blood. As these circulate, they destroy any foreign cells they encounter, simply by consuming them.

How does your immune...

 with encapsulation into lipids such that the mRNA is carried into lymph nodes, not just anywhere, it's carried into lymph nodes and in the lymph nodes it reaches a very special cell type, which is called dendritic cells,

Uğur Şahin and Özlem...

 world machine-made snows like two-week-old natural snow in that natural snow sometimes takes hours or days to form as it's going through the sky and small particles and it'll form those dendritic arms