Final answer:
Neural excitation and inhibition refer to the processes influencing neuronal action potentials, which can subsequently affect behavior. They are mediated by neurotransmitters like GABA for inhibition and glutamate for excitation, with complex neural circuits giving rise to varying behaviors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concepts of neural excitation and inhibition in the field of neuroscience refer to the processes by which neurons become more likely to fire an action potential (excitation) or less likely to fire (inhibition). These concepts do not directly translate to behavioral excitation and inhibition but can influence behavior. Neural excitability is the ability of a neuron to undergo stimulation, while excitation-contraction coupling refers to the sequence of events from the initial neural excitation to the contraction of a muscle. Neurotransmitters like GABA and glutamate are critical in this process, with GABA typically being inhibitory and glutamate excitatory. Complex neural circuits involving various neurotransmitters and neuromodulators like dopamine can affect motor activity and other forms of behavior through neural pathways like the basal ganglia.
For example, in the direct pathway of the basal ganglia, 'disinhibition' of the thalamus leads to increased cortical activity and motor output. In contrast, the indirect pathway, when active, inhibits motor activity. The neuromuscular junction and chemical synapses in the brain both involve the release of neurotransmitters which bind to receptors, leading to either excitation or inhibition of the postsynaptic cell.