All-or-None Principle

Definition

The all-or-none principle refers to the concept that a neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all in response to a stimulus. In other words, there is no partial firing of a neuron.

Related terms

Action Potential:

A brief electrical charge that travels down an axon when a neuron is stimulated, leading to communication between neurons.

Threshold:

The minimum level of stimulation required for a neuron to fire an action potential. It's like the 'start' button on a car engine - unless you reach that minimum threshold, nothing happens.

Refractory Period:

A brief period after the firing of an action potential during which another action potential cannot be initiated. It's like when you press a button on your TV remote repeatedly but it doesn't respond because there's a short delay before it can process another command.