Question

If a ligand binds to an ionotropic receptor on a post-synaptic cell and it allows for Na+ influx, what can you conclude?

a.this ligand is eliciting an inhibitory response in the post-synaptic cell
b. this ligand is eliciting and inhibitory response in the pre-synaptic cell
c. this ligand is eliciting an excitatory response in the post-synaptic cell
d. this ligand is eliciting an excitatory response in the pre-synaptic cell
e. this ligand begin a second messenger cascade that will result in cation flux

Answer 1

If a ligand allows for Na+ influx in an ionotropic receptor on a post-synaptic cell, it elicits an excitatory response.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a ligand binds to an ionotropic receptor on a post-synaptic cell and allows for Na+ influx, it can be concluded that this ligand is eliciting an excitatory response in the post-synaptic cell.

When Na+ ions enter the cell, they cause depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane, leading to an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) that makes the postsynaptic neuron more likely to fire an action potential.