The intensity of a stimulus, e.g., the difference between a dim light and a bright light, is coded
A) by the firing rate of the neuron.
B) by the intensity of each neural transmission traveling down the axon.
C) by the number of neurons firing.
D) by the firing rate of the neuron and by the number of neurons firing.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The intensity of a stimulus is coded both by the firing rate of neurons (how frequently a neuron fires) and by the number of neurons firing (with more neurons firing in response to a stronger stimulus). This combination allows the nervous system to accurately represent the intensity of stimuli.

The Intensity of a Stimulus, E