Question

What best describes a converging circuit?

a) One neuron communicates with multiple parts of the brain.
b) One axon of an input neuron branches to make contact with multiple postsynaptic neurons.
c) Axon terminals from multiple input neurons join onto a single postsynaptic neuron.
d) An increasing number of neurons are excited down the pathway of the circuit.

Answer 1

A converging circuit is when axon terminals from multiple input neurons join onto a single postsynaptic neuron, allowing for integration and processing of information from different sources.

Step-by-step explanation:

A converging circuit in the nervous system refers to the arrangement where axon terminals from multiple input neurons join onto a single postsynaptic neuron.

For example, multiple sensory neurons can synapse onto a single interneuron in the spinal cord, which then transmits the signal to a motor neuron, allowing for coordinated movement.

Converging circuits allow for integration and processing of information from multiple sources, enhancing the complexity and flexibility of neural communication.