In the context of communication in the nervous system, what is it called when a medium barrier causes the recipient of the message to not respond adequately?

• A. Hyperpolarization
• B. Synaptic facilitation
• C. Neural adaptation
• D. Understimulation

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the context: The problem is about communication in the nervous system and what happens when a 'medium barrier' causes the recipient of a message to not respond adequately.
2. Review the given options and their meanings: Hyperpolarization refers to an increase in a cell's membrane potential making it more negative, which generally inhibits firing; Synaptic facilitation is a temporary increase in synaptic strength; Neural adaptation is when neurons reduce their response to a constant stimulus over time.
3. Analyze the term 'medium barrier' and its effect: A barrier that reduces or blocks the transmission of a signal can lead to insufficient stimulation of the recipient neuron or target cell.
4. Identify the concept that describes a reduced response due to insufficient stimulation: This is known as 'understimulation,' where the recipient does not respond adequately because the signal is too weak or blocked.
5. Conclude that the correct term for the phenomenon described is 'understimulation,' which is distinct from the other options that describe different neural processes.