A particular neuron (A) is post-synaptic to two other neurons (B and C). Pre-syn

Question

A particular neuron (A) is post-synaptic to two other neurons (B and C). Pre-synaptic neuron B formed a synapse on the initial segment of cell A’s axon. Pre-synaptic neuron C formed a synapse on one of A’s dendrites. Neuron B and neuron C produce EPSPs (excitatory postsynaptic potentials) of the same magnitude in neuron A but one of these two pre-synaptic cells affects action potential generation by neuron A much more than the other. Which neuron, B or C, has the greater effect on neuron A? Explain how this effect is generated in neuron A and why one neuron has a greater effect than the other.

Explanation / Answer

neuron B will have a greater effect on neuron A.

According to post synaptic action potential, B will have much greater influence than neuron C, The axon's initial segment is the place where action potentials are usually and most easily generated. Neuron B will synapse directly on neuron A ( initial segment will have a large effect , whereas C will have to travel a distance from dendrite to initial segment and will decay along the way.

so B will have much larger effect.

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