Therefore, the number of neurons which are excited to the threshold level and thus fire is one way the intensity of a stimulus is captured. The other way stimulus intensity is encoded is through the frequency of the nerve impulses. The consequence is more frequent action potentials, i.e. neuron firing. Thus, there are two stimulus intensity encoding systems. Another function neurons can carry out is inhibition .
Inhibition is the suppression of action.
If a signal is coming from one direction to flex a muscle and another signal is coming from another direction with the message to relax the muscle, then these two signals are giving contradictory information. Disinhibition was most popularly studied in laboratory research on the praying mantis. Understandably the male does not want to get eaten. On the other hand, his natural urge is to mate. Thus, the male praying mantis is in the dilemma of wanting to achieve the goals of mating and not get eaten.