Compare and contrast spatial and temporal summation. What are these processes used for in sensory processing? Please use a different example than the one described below in quotes.

"Spatial summation occurs when excitatory potentials from many different presynaptic neurons cause the postsynaptic neuron to reach its threshold and fire.

Temporal summation occurs when a single presynaptic neuron fires many times in succession, causing the postsynaptic neuron to reach its threshold and fire.

As an analogy, spatial summation is like using many shovels to fill up a hole all at once. Temporal summation is like using a single shovel to fill up a hole over time. Both methods work to fill up the whole (the postsynaptic neuron reaches its action potential threshold)."

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Answer and step by step explanation Spatial and temporal summation are two processes that are used i... View the full answer