Dr. Hunt is recording activity at the axon hillock of a neuron. In spite of significant input, no action potential has been generated. What will Dr. Hunt probably conclude about the activity of this cell?
A) The current from the EPSPs and IPSPs is not reaching the axon hillock properly.
B) The current produced by IPSPs is insufficient for reaching threshold at the axon hillock.
C) Approximately equal amounts of excitatory and inhibitory input are canceling each other out.
D) Insufficient calcium has entered the axon hillock.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most likely conclusion is that the excitatory (EPSPs) and inhibitory (IPSPs) inputs are approximately equal and thus cancel each other out, preventing the neuron from reaching the threshold needed to generate an action potential.

Dr Hunt Is Recording Activity at the Axon Hillock of a Neuron