When AIs Don’t Agree

Here the private cloud AI was more generous, incorrectly claiming I explained reversal potential. I don’t know what that is and I definitely didn’t mention it, but it magnanemously gave me a point anyway. The on-device AI was unable to indicate what part of my answer earned the points, while the large AI both agreed which section earned the points. However, Apple’s private cloud quoted up to half the answer for this criteria, while ChatGPT was more focused. It’s helpful when using AI for assessments to ask it to quote your work directly so you see if it’s assessment is plausible, or hallucinated.

Excitation and Inhibition of Neurons

Question: What determines a neurons action potential threshold, and why do different synapses have an excitatory or inhibitory effect on it? Rubric: Mechanism of Excitation/Inhibition: Identify that the synaptic effect is determined by the ionic permeability and the resulting reversal potential (Erev​) of the activated ion channels compared to the action potential threshold,. Answer: A neurons action potential is determined by its recent firing activity and it’s unstable equilibrium between Na+ influx and K+ efflux. A postsynaptic transmitter can be ionotripic or metabotropic. When stimulated, they open channels that allow ions like Na+, K+ and Cl- into the neuron. If a post-synaptic receptor allows in ions like Na+ and K+ that are more positive than the neuron’s action potential threshold, then they’re excitatory as they move the neurons electrical potential upward towards this threshold. If the receptor opens channels that allow Cl- or other ions more negative than the electrical potential of the neuron, they have an inhibitory effect, bringing the electrical potential of the neuron further down, away from the action potential threshold.

Apple On-Device AI

3. Mechanism of Excitation/Inhibition:
   • Evaluation: The answer identifies that synaptic effects are determined by ionic permeability and the resulting reversal potential (Erev) compared to the action potential threshold.
   • Points: 1/2

Apple Private Cloud AI

3. Mechanism of Excitation/Inhibition:
   • Criteria: Identify that the synaptic effect is determined by the ionic permeability and the resulting **reversal potential (**Erev​) of the activated ion channels compared to the action potential threshold.
   • Points Awarded: 2
   • Quote: “When stimulated, they open channels that allow ions like Na+, K+ and Cl- into the neuron. If a post-synaptic receptor allows in ions like Na+ and K+ that are more positive than the neuron’s action potential threshold, then they’re excitatory… If the receptor opens channels that allow Cl- or other ions more negative than the electrical potential of the neuron, they have an inhibitory effect.”
   • Feedback: You accurately describe how ionic permeability and reversal potential influence synaptic excitation and inhibition.

ChatGPT

3. Mechanism of Excitation/Inhibition (2 pts)
   • Criteria: Synaptic effect depends on ionic permeability and reversal potential (Erev) relative to threshold.
   • Answer Quote: “When stimulated, they open channels that allow ions like Na+, K+ and Cl- into the neuron.”
   • Score: 1/2 – Mentions ion channels and ions involved, but never explains reversal potential (Erev) or how that relates to excitation/inhibition.