Spatial summation occurs in a postsynaptic neuron
A) when several EPSPs from a single presynaptic input sum to reach threshold
B) when EPSPs from several presynaptic inputs sum to reach threshold
C) upon simultaneous interaction of an EPSP and an IPSP
D) when several IPSPs from a single presynaptic input sum to hyperpolarize the membrane
E) none of these

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Spatial summation occurs when EPSPs from several presynaptic inputs sum together to reach threshold and depolarize the postsynaptic neuron. Option A is incorrect because it describes temporal summation. Option C is incorrect because it refers to the interaction of an EPSP and an IPSP, which is known as temporal inhibition. Option D is incorrect because it describes the process of spatial inhibition. Option E is incorrect because one of the options must be correct.

Spatial Summation Occurs in a Postsynaptic Neuron