Final answer:
Spatial and temporal summation are all or nothing electrical events in a neuron that reflect the spatial temporal integration of synaptic potentials and the intrinsic excitability of the neuron. They determine whether an action potential will be fired in a neuron.
Step-by-step explanation:
Spatial and temporal summation are all or nothing electrical events in a neuron that reflect the spatial temporal integration of synaptic potentials and the intrinsic excitability of the neuron.
Spatial summation occurs when multiple graded potentials from different locations on the neuron add up to reach the threshold for firing an action potential. Temporal summation happens when multiple action potentials from a single cell occur close enough in time to result in a significant change in the membrane potential.
Both spatial and temporal summation can occur together, and they play a crucial role in determining whether an action potential will be fired in a neuron.