Final answer:
Neurons integrate postsynaptic potentials through spatial summation (different locations) and temporal summation (across time), with the correct answer being b) Spatial; temporal. Spatial summation combines multiple signals across the neuron's membrane, while temporal summation accumulates signals at the same location but at different times.
Step-by-step explanation:
Neurons process information by integrating the postsynaptic potentials through both spatial summation (summing potentials from different locations) and temporal summation (summing potentials across time). The correct answer to the question is b) Spatial; temporal.
Spatial summation occurs when multiple postsynaptic potentials from various locations across the neuron's membrane converge to produce a significant change in the membrane potential. On the other hand, temporal summation refers to the accumulation of postsynaptic potentials at the same location but occurring at different times, which can lead to a change in the membrane potential if they are sufficiently close in time.
Both forms of summation play a crucial role in determining whether the postsynaptic neuron reaches the threshold needed to trigger an action potential, effectively filtering out random 'noise' in the nervous system to ensure that only important information is transmitted.