What happens if twice as many inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) as excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) arrive at a postsynaptic neuron in close proximity?
A) A stronger action potential results.
B) A weaker action potential results.
C) No action potential results.
D) A normal action potential results.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the inhibitory signals are twice as strong as the excitatory signals, they will cancel out the effect of the excitatory signals and prevent the threshold potential from being reached. This means that no action potential will be generated. This is known as spatial summation.

What Happens If Twice as Many Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials (IPSPs)