Modest Activation of Distal Synapses Produces a Local Dendritic Depolarization

question 16

Multiple Choice

Modest activation of distal synapses produces a local dendritic depolarization that propagates electrotonically towards the soma and can trigger an action potential at the soma. Stronger activation of distal synapses evokes a dendritic calcium action potential that also results in the generation of a somatic action potential. How can you distinguish these two scenarios using dual somatic and dendritic recordings?

• A) With modest stimuli, the action potential recorded from the soma precedes the one recorded from the dendrite. With stronger stimuli, the action potential recorded from the soma follows the one recorded from the dendrite. In addition, in this case, the two action potentials display a shorter latency.
• B) With modest stimuli, the action potential recorded from the soma is smaller than the one recorded from the dendrite. With stronger stimuli, the action potential recorded from the soma is larger than the one recorded from the dendrite.
• C) With modest stimuli, the action potential recorded from the soma is longer than the one recorded from the dendrite. With stronger stimuli, the action potential recorded from the soma is shorter than the one recorded from the dendrite.
• D) With modest stimuli, there is typically no action potential recorded from the soma. With stronger stimuli, the action potential recorded from the dendrite shows an after-depolarization, which cannot be detected from the soma.
• E) The two recordings are indistinguishable using these experimental configurations.

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