Question

The neurotransmitter glutamate opens channels that are permeable to sodium ions. What effect does glutamate produce on a postsynaptic neuron? The neurotransmitter glutamate opens channels that are permeable to sodium ions. What effect does glutamate produce on a postsynaptic neuron?

A) Neither IPSPs nor EPSPs
B) Both IPSPs and EPSPs
C) IPSPs
D) EPSPs

Answer 1

D) EPSPs

Step-by-step explanation:

Glutamate is a very important and powerful excitatory neurotransmitter. It is largely secreted by nerve cells present in the brain. Glutamate is known to bind ionotropic receptors. By ionotropic we mean to say that on ligand binding, such receptors tend to open and allow passage of ions. As soon as glumatate binds its receptor present on the plasma membrane, it causes excitatory electrical responses to occur by opening Na⁺ channels which causes influx of Na⁺. More Na⁺ inside the neurons leads to the change in the membrane potential which is known as EPSPs (excitatory postsynaptic potential) and this state is known as depolarized state.

In short, glutamate causes sodium ion channels to open up in the neurons and this flow of Na⁺ is known as excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC) and as explained in the paragraph above, this EPSC finally leads to EPSPs (excitatory postsynaptic potential).