Question

5. Action potentials are an all-or-none signal, yet our neurons must code for complex sensory information. Please list and describe two methods by which neurons code for incoming sensory information. In your description, you must relate the coding methods to actual theories of how we process information from one or more of our sensory systems.

Place Coding is the area of the basilar membrane that vibrates determines perceived pitch

Temporal Coding is the rate of neuronal firing is directly related to the frequency

I know that the two methods are Place and Temporal Coding. I just need to know how we process from one or more of our sensory systems.

Answer 1

1. Place and Temporal code are the two methods by which neurons code for incoming sensory information.

• Temporal coding is a type of neural coding,and it relies on inter spike intervals. Temporal coding provide additional information with same rate.When precise spike timing , high frequency firing rate fluctuations are used to carry information, in such case neural code isidentified as temporal code.
• Place code theory helps to identify each pitch with the place along with the basilar membrane. Frequency coding determined by activation of the spiral organ from base to apex of cochlea, at the time higher frequency is transmitted from near the base and lower frequencies from near the apex.
• The neuron will generate electrical pulses, which helps to encode the information and communicate with each other. Neuron's membrane consist of voltage , which constantly fluctuate in response to electrical pulse inputs from other neurons and its own internal noise.
• Sensory system consist sensory neurons, neural pathways, recognize vision, hearing, touch,taste,smell and balance.
• Spinal code receives sensory information from all parts of body(below head), and it generates nerve impulses in nerves that control muscles and viscera.