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If a neuron receives a weak excitatory stimulation and a strong inhibatory

stimulation just around the same time, will the neuron fire?
O No becuae the inhibitory stimulation was strong

Yes because the inhibitory neuron was strong

No because the excitatory stimulation was strong

O Yes because the excitatory neuron was strong

1 Answer

6 votes
We are essentially considering the summation of a weak excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) and a strong inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP). Since both signals are received around the same time, the stronger signal will dominate—in this case, the inhibitory stimulation. Assuming that the signals are of different magnitudes, the neuron will most likely not fire because the excitatory stimulation was too weak or because the inhibitory signal was strong[er] than the excitatory signal.

The former is not among the answer choices. Thus, the most likely answer is the first choice: “No, because the inhibitory stimulation was strong.”
User Jscarle
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