Answer to Question #234821 in Human Anatomy and Physiology for moe

Question

6.Tabulate the differences between temporal and spatial summation of EPSP.

Answer 1

• Summation is the additive effect of many electrical impulses between the nerve and muscle cells (neuromuscular junction). 
• Individual stimuli cannot cause a response but collectively they can generate a response. 
• Summation is of two types:

   a. Spatial summation: Addition of simultaneous stimuli from many conducting fibers.

   b. Temporal summation: Successive stimuli on a single nerve

Spatial summation:

1. Many presynaptic neurons are required for generating an action potential.

2. Many presynaptic neurons generate subthreshold.

3. It is more efficient.

Temporal summation:

1. Single presynaptic neuron is required for generating an action potential.

2. Single presynaptic neuron generates subthreshold over a certain period of time.

3. It is less efficient which takes time to generate an action potential.