What determines when an individual neuron will fire an action potential?
A) Resting membrane potential
B) Inhibitory inputs
C) When the sum of all the inputs reaches threshold
D) Excitatory stimulation
E) When it receives at least 1,000 synaptic inputs

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Neurons will fire an action potential when the sum of all the incoming inputs reaches a certain threshold, typically around -55mV. This threshold is reached by a combination of excitatory and inhibitory inputs, and once the threshold is met, an action potential will be generated and propagated down the axon. Resting membrane potential and excitatory stimulation can contribute to this process, but they alone do not determine when an action potential will occur. The idea of receiving at least 1,000 synaptic inputs is not necessarily relevant to the process of firing an action potential.

What Determines When an Individual Neuron Will Fire an Action