Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

45. Nervous System

Neurons and Action Potentials

General Biology

45. Nervous System

Neurons and Action Potentials

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0:48 minutes

Problem 6

Textbook Question

Suppose a particular neurotransmitter causes an IPSP in postsynaptic cell X and an EPSP in postsynaptic cell Y. A likely explanation is that
a. The threshold value in the postsynaptic membrane is different for cell X and cell Y
b. The axon of cell X is myelinated, but that of cell Y is not
c. Only cell Y produces an enzyme that terminates the activity of the neurotransmitter
d. Cells X and Y express different receptor molecules for this particular neurotransmitter

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the terms IPSP and EPSP: IPSP stands for Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential, which makes the postsynaptic neuron less likely to fire an action potential. EPSP stands for Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential, which makes the postsynaptic neuron more likely to fire an action potential.

Consider the role of receptor molecules: Different receptor molecules can respond differently to the same neurotransmitter. This means that the same neurotransmitter can cause an IPSP in one cell and an EPSP in another if they have different receptors.

Evaluate the options: Option (d) suggests that cells X and Y express different receptor molecules for the neurotransmitter. This is a plausible explanation because different receptors can lead to different responses (IPSP or EPSP) to the same neurotransmitter.

Analyze the other options: Option (a) involves threshold values, which are related to the likelihood of firing an action potential but do not directly explain the difference between IPSP and EPSP. Option (b) involves myelination, which affects the speed of action potential propagation but not the type of postsynaptic potential. Option (c) involves enzyme production, which affects neurotransmitter activity termination but not the type of postsynaptic potential.

Conclude the most likely explanation: Based on the analysis, the most likely explanation is that cells X and Y express different receptor molecules for the neurotransmitter, leading to different postsynaptic potentials (IPSP in cell X and EPSP in cell Y).

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses from one neuron to another. They can cause either excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) or inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) depending on the type of receptor they bind to on the postsynaptic cell. The effect of a neurotransmitter is determined by the receptor it interacts with, not the neurotransmitter itself.

Receptor Molecules

Receptor molecules are proteins located on the cell membrane that bind to neurotransmitters and initiate a cellular response. Different receptors can cause different effects; for example, one receptor might cause an EPSP while another causes an IPSP. The diversity in receptor types allows for varied responses to the same neurotransmitter in different cells.

Postsynaptic Potentials

Postsynaptic potentials are changes in the membrane potential of the postsynaptic neuron. EPSPs make the neuron more likely to fire an action potential, while IPSPs make it less likely. The type of postsynaptic potential generated depends on the neurotransmitter and the receptor it binds to, influencing whether the neuron becomes excited or inhibited.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Why are action potentials usually conducted in one direction?

a. Ions can flow along the axon in only one direction

b. The brief refractory period prevents the reopening of voltage-gated Na⁺ channels

c. The axon hillock has a higher membrane potential than the terminals of the axon

d. Voltage-gated channels for both Na⁺ and K⁺ open in only one direction.

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Textbook Question

What causes a nerve signal to move from one end of a neuron along the length of the neuron to the other end? What is a nerve signal, exactly? Why can't it go backward? How is a nerve signal transmitted from one neuron to the next across a synapse? Write a short paragraph that answers these questions.

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Textbook Question

Which of the following is the most direct result of depolarizing the presynaptic membrane of an axon terminal?

a. Voltage-gated calcium channels in the membrane open

b. Synaptic vesicles fuse with the membrane

c. Ligand-gated channels open, allowing neurotransmitters to enter the synaptic cleft

d. An EPSP or IPSP is generated in the postsynaptic cell

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Textbook Question

Explain the difference between a ligand-gated K⁺ channel and a voltage-gated K⁺ channel.

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Textbook Question

Describe the role of summation in postsynaptic cells.

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Textbook Question

Anesthetics block pain by blocking the transmission of nerve signals. Which of these three chemicals might work as anesthetics? (Choose all that apply and explain your selections.)

a. A chemical that prevents the opening of voltage-gated Na⁺ channels in membranes

b. A chemical that inhibits the enzymes that degrade neurotransmitters

c. A chemical that blocks neurotransmitter receptors

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Textbook Question

A proposal to test an SSRI in a large number of individuals with depression was submitted to the FDA. Through random assignments, half of the patients would be controls, receiving nothing at all, and half the patients would receive the drug in pill form. Patients in both groups would note changes in their own mood in a daily journal. What flaw(s) do you note in this experimental design?

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Textbook Question

Using microelectrodes, a researcher recorded nerve signals in four neurons in the brain of a snail, called A, B, C, and D in the table below. A, B, and C can all transmit signals to D. In three experiments, the animal was stimulated in different ways. The number of nerve signals transmitted per second by each of the cells is recorded in the table. Write a short paragraph explaining the different results of the three experiments.

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