| all-or-none (ôl'ər-nŭn') adj. Characterized by either a complete response or by a total lack of response or effect, as in neurological action above a threshold: "Nerve impulses follow the All or None Law—that is, a nerve impulse generated by a weak stimulus is just as strong as one generated by a strong stimulus" (Fundamentals of Biology). |
all-or-none  (ôl'ər-nŭn') Pronunciation Key
Characterized by either a complete response or by a total lack of response or effect, depending on the strength of the stimulus. Neurons have an all-or-none response to impulse transmission and cannot be partially stimulated. |