How far do most postsynaptic potentials travel before they die out?
A) to the axon hillock
B) to the terminal buttons
C) no more than a couple of millimeters
D) about 50 millimeters
E) both B and D

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Most postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) travel no more than a couple of millimeters before they die out. PSPs are the electrical signals that are generated in the dendrites of neurons in response to neurotransmitters released by presynaptic neurons. These signals can be either excitatory or inhibitory, and their effects on the postsynaptic neuron depend on their strength and duration. However, PSPs can only propagate passively along the dendrites and soma of the postsynaptic neuron, and they decay rapidly as they spread out from the synapse. This means that PSPs can only influence nearby regions of the neuron, and their effects decrease with distance. As a result, PSPs cannot travel very far before they lose their strength and are no longer effective in activating or inhibiting the postsynaptic neuron.

How Far Do Most Postsynaptic Potentials Travel Before They Die