Question

Which of the following directly or indirectly determines the frequency of action potentials in the axon of the interneuron?

1) the strength of the stimulus applied to the sensory receptor
2) the amount of neurotransmitter released by the sensory neuron
3) the depolarization at the interneuron's cell body
4) all of the above play a role in determining the frequency of action potentials in the axon of the interneuron

Answer 1

The frequency of action potentials in the axon of an interneuron is determined by the strength of the stimulus, the amount of neurotransmitter released, and the depolarization at the interneuron's cell body; all of these factors play a significant role. The correct answer is option 4.

Step-by-step explanation:

The frequency of action potentials in the axon of the interneuron is affected by several factors.

These include (1) the strength of the stimulus applied to the sensory receptor, which determines the rate of generated action potentials in response to the stimulus intensity; (2) the amount of neurotransmitter released by the sensory neuron, which can generate graded potentials that summate to reach the threshold for initiating an action potential; and (3) the depolarization at the interneuron's cell body, which integrates the graded potentials and, if the threshold is reached, triggers an action potential.

Therefore, all of the above play a role in determining the frequency of action potentials in the axon of the interneuron.