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

Out of three neuron, B will have greater effect. Presynaptic neuron B will have greater influence because it directly synapse on neuron A initial segment. So, it will have greater effect. Neuron C has to cover a longer distance from dendrite to initial segment and it may decay along the way. The effect of neuron depends how presynaptuc neuron affect the postsynaptic. In terms of action potential generation B will have more effect than C. The axon initial segment is the place where action potentials are generated in postsynaptic neuron.

Also EPSPs produced from neuron B will be larger at initial segment than ESPSs from neuron C.

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