Serena is performing her first in vivo electrophysiology experiment and hopes to record an action potential. Her thesis adviser, Professor Arnulf explains to her, "Be patient, your cell will not fire an action potential until there is temporal and spatial ____."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Temporal and spatial summation of EPSPs (Excitatory Post-Synaptic Potentials) are necessary for a neuron to reach the threshold to fire an action potential. Temporal summation occurs when multiple EPSPs are produced in rapid succession at the same synapse, while spatial summation occurs when EPSPs are produced simultaneously at different synapses.

Serena Is Performing Her First in Vivo Electrophysiology Experiment and Hopes