PS263 Chapter 2: PS263 ch2
Document Summary
Text book notes: synapse sponta- neous firing rate- a periodic produc- tion of action potentials even without synaptic input. Presynaptic neuron- neuron that delivers transmission to another neuron. Postsynaptic neuron- neuron that receives transmission from another neuron. Reflex arc- a circuit from sensory neuron to muscle response. Temporal summation- a cumulative effect of repeated stimuli within a brief time. Synapse- a specialized gap as a point of communication between two neurons. Inhibitory postsynaptic potential, or ipsp- temporary hyperpolarization of a membrane. Spatial summation- combination of effects of activity from two or more synapses onto a sin- gle neuron. Inhibitory postsynaptic potential (ipsp)- temporary hyperpolarization of a membrane. In a leg flexion reflex, a sensory neuron excites a second neuron, which in turn excites a mo- tor neuron, which excites a muscle. Sherrington observed several properties of reflexes suggesting special processes at the junc- tions between neurons: Reflexes are slower than conduction along an axon.
