Temporal summation takes place when
A) two EPSPs from the same presynaptic input occur so closely together in time that they add together or sum.
B) an EPSP and an IPSP occur simultaneously in time and cancel each other out.
C) two EPSPs that occur simultaneously from different presynaptic inputs add together or sum.
D) action potentials occurring in two presynaptic inputs simultaneously converge upon the postsynaptic cell, initiating two different action potentials in the postsynaptic cell.
E) none of these answers.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Temporal summation occurs when two EPSPs from the same presynaptic input occur closely together in time and add together. This can lead to depolarization of the postsynaptic cell and potentially generate an action potential. The other answer choices describe other forms of synaptic integration but do not accurately describe temporal summation.

Temporal Summation Takes Place When