Resting Potential (RP)... the cell membrane
potential characteristic of an excitable cell with the
inside of the cell negative with respect to the outside
of the neuron.
Action Potential (AP)... A rapid change in
the membrane potential of an excitable cell, caused
by the sequential opening and closing of Na and
K voltage gated ion channels.
Excitatory Post Synaptic Potential (EPSP)... an electrical charge (depolarization) in a post-
synaptic neuronal membrane caused by the binding of a
neurotransmitter
substance released from the presynaptic cell and
binding to a post-synaptic
receptor protein opening a ligand
gated ion channel; may lead to a
post-synaptic AP.
Inhibitory
Post Synaptic Potential (IPSP)... an electrical charge
(depolarization) in a post-
synaptic neuronal membrane caused by the binding of an
inhibitory neurotransmitter
substance released from the presynaptic cell and binding
to a post-synaptic
receptor protein - ligand gated ion channel;
makes it more difficult to generate an AP.
Receptor
Potential (RP)... depolarization of a receptor that occurs in response
to a stimulus
resulting in a voltage across the receptor cell
membrane that is
graded
proportionally
to the stimulus intensity and that determines
the frequency of
action potentials traveling to the nervous system.
(also called Receptor Potential)
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