When several EPSPs arrive at the axon hillock from different dendritic locations, depolarizing the postsynaptic cell to threshold for an action potential, this is an example of
A) temporal summation.
B) spatial summation.
C) tetanus.
D) the refractory state.
E) an action potential with an abnormally high peak of depolarization.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is an example of spatial summation, where multiple inputs are added up at different locations on the dendrites to reach the threshold for an action potential. Temporal summation involves the addition of inputs that arrive at the same location on the dendrite at different times. Tetanus refers to a sustained contraction of a muscle due to rapid stimulation of motor neurons. The refractory state refers to a period of time after an action potential where the neuron cannot fire another action potential. An action potential with an abnormally high peak of depolarization does not accurately describe this situation.

When Several EPSPs Arrive at the Axon Hillock from Different