"Decision-making" in the central nervous system can be biologically described as
A) "sodium ions in, sodium ions out."
B) The quantity and location of acetylcholinesterase
C) The critical number of active neurons
D) The process of integrating all of the excitatory and inhibitory action potentials coming into an interneuron
E) A balance of excitement and inhibition on the part of the whole animal

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The process of integrating all of the excitatory and inhibitory action potentials coming into an interneuron (also known as synaptic integration) is one of the key components involved in decision-making in the central nervous system. This process involves the summation of all incoming signals at a particular neuron, and the determination of whether or not the combined signal is strong enough to trigger an action potential and subsequently send a signal further down the neural pathway. Synaptic integration is therefore a critical process that serves to filter out irrelevant or weak signals, and amplify the relevant and stronger signals necessary for making decisions.

"Decision-Making" in the Central Nervous System Can Be Biologically Described