3 Which of the following directly determines the amount of neurotransmitter released at the axon terminal of the sensory neuron?

Question

• The strength of the stimulus applied to the sensory receptor.
• The frequency of action potentials at the sensory receptor.
• The amount of calcium that enters the sensory receptor.
• The depolarization at the interneuron's cell body.

Answer 1

The amount of neurotransmitter released at the axon terminal of the sensory neuron is primarily determined by:

The frequency of action potentials at the sensory receptor.

When a sensory neuron experiences a stronger stimulus, it generates action potentials at a higher frequency. This increased frequency of action potentials leads to more calcium ions entering the axon terminal when the action potentials reach it, which in turn stimulates the release of neurotransmitters. While the other options can influence neurotransmitter release indirectly, the direct relationship is primarily linked to action potential frequency.