Temporal vs Spatial Summation Differences and Other Important Aspects

In this blog, let’s explore every aspect of “Temporal vs Spatial Summation.” We will understand the temporal summation definition and spatial summation definition.

This is the perfect read for biology students who want to know the difference between temporal summation vs spatial summation.

Do you know your every muscle movement releases thousands of electric impulses to the brain? These impulses are passed on to the next one with delicate sodium and potassium balance utilizing the synapses between neurons.

This complex process of carrying information exactly to the corresponding order takes a fraction of a second. That’s really lightning!

The Central Nervous System (CNS) is the right combination of the brain and spinal cord. The other parts of the nervous system come under Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

The neurons which send the information are known as the Pre-Synaptic Cell. And the information receiving bodies are known as Post Synaptic neurons or receiving cells.

Before we explore the exact difference between spatial vs temporal summation, let’s explore “Action Potential.”

What Is An Action Potential?

Our body has nerves that are interlinked with the brain or nervous system. It’s exactly similar to the electric wires connected to the switchboard. So, whenever you want to move any body part, it’s exactly the same as putting on the switches.

The brain immediately sends information to the particular body part, which moves through neurons’ electrical impulses. It’s similar to switching on the fan and sending the electric signals from the switchboard to the fan.

The electric signals or switch don’t order the fan to move. It just facilitates the electricity for the fan movement. Similarly, neurons don’t say hand to do the movements. It’s simply the electric impulse or information responsible for hand movement.

The sensory neurons or nerve cells consist of charged particles that move through action potential. And action potential is similar to electric potential. This communication becomes very active when we give tests. Thus many students search for who invented exams to put stress on their nervous system.

In the same way, the action potential is the work required to move the single neuron to other neurons. All these charged particles move from one cell to another via the cell membranes of neurons. This neuromuscular junction is responsible for the travel of charged particles. That facilitates communication between ion channels.

Definition Of Synapse In Psychology

It is the flow of information from one neuron to the target neuron via small gaps between two axons or dendrites.

The neurons communicate with each other through synaptic junctures.

Synapses are basically pathways for neural information exchange. Here the action triggers multiple presynaptic neurons to release neurotransmitters. Hundreds and thousands of synapses combined with the central nervous system, and PSPs are produced by each synapse. 

Understand The Process

A mosquito bites your hand and creates stimuli.

The brain or nervous system sends signals in the form of electric impulses. That lets you raise your hand and scratch the skin. (Response)

Stimuli: The signal or graded response is sent to the brain about the tickling of a mosquito. The signal sent by the brain to initiate the action in the response.

Everything you need to know about Prose vs Verse. 

What Is Summation? Spatial Summation vs Temporal Summation

Summation is the fundamental aspect of human physiology. The interaction between temporal and Spatial Summation  plays an important role in determining body functions. It also triggers the neurons to respond.  

Let’s go through the key differences between spatial and temporal summation:

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Differences Between Temporal vs Spatial Summation

Temporal summation occurs by adding up the single stimuli over a short period of time. While multiple simultaneous inputs are also known as sensory summation. This summation occurs because the multiple spatially separated neurons are stimulated simultaneously.

Presynaptic Neurons 

A single presynaptic neuron generates the action potential in repeated input summation. At the same time, multiple presynaptic neurons are responsible for generating action potential in multiple simultaneous inputs.

Mechanism

One presynaptic neuron continuously generates a subthreshold for a certain period in temporal summation. In comparison, multiple presynaptic neurons generate subthreshold in the spatial summation.

Efficiency

Efficiency is another factor that differs in Temporal summation and this summation is a less efficient process. It also takes time to generate an action potential. However, Spatial Summation are an efficient mechanism. 

What Is A Temporal Summation

It is a summation in the nervous system where a single presynaptic neuron is involved in producing multiple stimuli or subthreshold over a period of time. After a certain period, the threshold potential is generated because of multiple simultaneous inputs or subthreshold.

So, at a certain point, these temporal Summation thresholds become sufficient to generate or fire action potential on the postsynaptic neuron. Here every threshold is generated by releasing the excitatory neurotransmitters to the synaptic gap. The presynaptic neuron does it.

Also, every single subthreshold is considered as the excitatory postsynaptic potential or EPSP. Although, an action potential is generated only when the sum of the subthreshold becomes equal to the superthreshold. Also, explore an interesting blog on who invented homework?

What Is A Spatial Summation

This is another type of summation in the nervous system. Here the threshold is generated by the multiple presynaptic neurons. Which are responsible for the generation of action potential on the postsynaptic neurons.

So, this is a type of simultaneous summation in which multiple EPSPs are responsible for generating an action potential.

Spatial Summation, excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials are combined. That prevents generating an action potential on the postsynaptic neuron. This on-going process is known as postsynaptic inhibition. You can even get the help with assignment on the Spatial Order.

Mechanism of the Human Nerve System

Algebraic Processing Of EPSPs And IPSPs

At any point, the neuron receives numerous EPSP and IPSP signals simultaneously. To determine the output or to know whether the threshold potential has reached the action potential the algebraic processing of EPSP and IPSP is taken.

These neurons receive numerous inputs either from multiple neurons as in spatial summation. Or multiple inputs from a single neuron as in a temporal summation.

The output depends upon each type of neurotransmitter. It can be excitatory neurotransmitters. Like glutamate that causes sodium ion influx through sodium ion channels.

Or, it can be inhibitory neurotransmitters like GABA, which causes chloride ion influx. This synapse can be a decision point where an algebraic procession of EPSP and IPSP determines output.

Axon Hillock

The part of the cell body of a neuron that connects with the axon is the axon hillock. It is a sparse distribution of the Nissl sub-substance. We can identify it with the help of light microscopy.

This axon hillock connects the axon and soma of the neuron. That’s why it is the final region of soma where summation membrane potentials from synaptic receptor channels occur. Then this summation is transmitted to the axon.

However, in the past, many believed that the axon hillock was the trigger zone for the action potential. It is now considered the initial segment between the initial unmyelinated axon segment and the axon hillock peak. Where action potential occurs.

Shunting

The excitatory postsynaptic membrane potential and inhibitory postsynaptic potential are very close in the dendrite,  Many times in the neurons. This is known as shunting. You can see it in the dendrite tree given here.

The temporal summation will suggest these excitatory postsynaptic potentials and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. That determines the resulting output, whether the threshold potential has been reached and action potential has started or not.

However, this temporal summation sequence of events occurs in the soma cell, and the cell resistance is affected by the inhibitory input. The cell began to leak and create a shunt known as shunting inhibition. As opposed to getting rid of excitatory input’s effect.

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Conclusion

Temporal summation is the summation process in the nervous system, where a single presynaptic neuron generates a subthreshold. Temporal summation happens over time, generating an action potential on the postsynaptic neuron.

While spatial summation is a different summation process. The multiple presynaptic neurons generate the subthreshold to generate an action potential on the postsynaptic neuron. The major difference between the two summation processes is the type of multiple stimuli involved.

School and college students often need to write a paper on temporal and spatial summation. We hope this article helps you understand both the summation processes. If you need complete help in paper writing, contact our experts.

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