Question

What is the primary difference between temporal summation and spatial summation?​
a. ​spatial summation depends on contributions from more than one sensory neuron.
b. ​only spatial summation can produce an action potential.
c. ​spatial summation alters the response of more than one postsynaptic cell.
d. ​temporal summation produces a hyperpolarization instead of a depolarization?

Answer 1

The correct answer is A, spatial summation depends on contributions from more than one sensory neuron. Spatial summation is a mechanism of eliciting an action potential in a neuron with input from multiple presynaptic cells. It is the algebraic summing of potentials from different areas of input, usually on the dendrites. Temporal summation occurs when a single presynaptic neuron fires many times in succession, causing the post-synaptic neuron to reach its threshold and fire.