How does temporal summation differ from spatial summation? - Answers

Temporal summation occurs when multiple excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) are generated at the same synapse in rapid succession, leading to a greater overall depolarization of the postsynaptic neuron. In contrast, spatial summation involves the simultaneous activation of multiple synapses on a postsynaptic neuron, allowing the combined effect of EPSPs from different locations to reach the threshold for action potential generation. Both processes are crucial for integrating synaptic inputs, but they operate through different mechanisms of timing and spatial distribution.