Question

when a second epsp (excitatory postsynaptic potential) arrives at a single synapse before the effects of the first have disappeared, what occurs? inhibition of the impulse temporal summation spatial summation decrease in speed of impulse transmission hyperpolarization

Explanation:

• Inhibition of the impulse: EPSPs are excitatory, so this is unlikely.
• Temporal summation: Occurs when multiple EPSPs from the same synapse (due to timing - before previous effects fade) add up.
• Spatial summation: Involves multiple synapses (different locations), not a single synapse.
• Decrease in speed of impulse transmission: Not related to EPSP summation at a single synapse.
• Hyperpolarization: Associated with IPSPs (inhibitory), not EPSPs.

Answer:

temporal summation