Describe the difference between spatial and temporal summation in a postsynaptic neuron

What will be an ideal response


Spatial summation is summation of postsynaptic potentials in response to stimuli that occur at different locations in the membrane of a postsynaptic cell at the same time. This typically occurs when multiple presynaptic neurons synapse with one postsynaptic neuron and fire simultaneously. Temporal summation is summation of postsynaptic potentials in response to stimuli that occur at the same location in the membrane of the postsynaptic cell but at different times. This typically occurs when one presynaptic neuron fires in rapid succession leading to a summing of the resulting EPSPs, which then triggers the generation of action potentials in the postsynaptic neuron as it moves above threshold.

Anatomy & Physiology

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Anatomy & Physiology