3 Questions
What is the effect of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) on the postsynaptic neuron?
They depolarize the membrane and increase the likelihood of firing
Where do action potentials occur?
At the axon initial segment
What is spatial summation?
The combination of local EPSPs or IPSPs on different parts of the receptive membrane
Study Notes
- Neurons release neurotransmitters when they fire, which interact with receptor molecules on the next neuron's membrane.
- The effect of neurotransmitters on the postsynaptic neuron depends on the neurotransmitter, receptor, and neuron in question.
- Excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) depolarize the membrane and increase the likelihood of firing, while inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) hyperpolarize the membrane and decrease the likelihood of firing.
- EPSPs and IPSPs are graded responses, meaning their amplitude is proportional to the intensity of the signal that elicited them.
- Postsynaptic potentials travel passively and decrementally through the neuron.
- Action potentials (APs) are not graded responses and occur at the axon initial segment.
- Whether a neuron fires depends on the balance between excitatory and inhibitory signals reaching its axon.
- Neurons integrate incoming signals over space and time through spatial and temporal summation.
- Spatial summation involves the combination of local EPSPs or IPSPs on different parts of the receptive membrane.
- Simultaneous EPSPs and IPSPs can cancel each other out.
Test your knowledge of how neurons communicate with each other in this quiz! From neurotransmitters to postsynaptic potentials, action potentials to summation, this quiz covers the basics of neuronal signaling. See how much you know about the key concepts that underlie the communication between neurons, and learn more about the intricacies of this fascinating process. Keywords: neurons, neurotransmitters, postsynaptic potentials, excitatory, inhibitory, action potentials, axon, spatial summation, temporal summation.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
