What is the primary difference between temporal summation and spatial summation?
A) Only spatial summation can produce an action potential.
B) Spatial summation depends on contributions from more than one sensory neuron.
C) Temporal summation produces a hyperpolarization instead of a depolarization.
D) Spatial summation alters the response of more than one postsynaptic cell.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Temporal summation occurs when multiple action potentials from a single presynaptic neuron fire rapidly and add up to reach the threshold for an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. Spatial summation, on the other hand, involves adding up the effects of multiple presynaptic neurons on the postsynaptic neuron. Therefore, choice B is correct as it correctly describes the primary difference between the two types of summation.

What Is the Primary Difference Between Temporal Summation and Spatial