Question

After NMDA receptors fully open in a postsynaptic hippocampal neuron experiencing long term potentiation, describe the speciflic ion current throughout the receptor and the results events in the dendritic spine that result in enhancement or potentiation of responses to any subsequent stimuli from the presynaptic cell. Ion flow description (which ions, what direction):

Answer 1

After NMDA receptors fully open in a postsynaptic hippocampal neuron, calcium ions enter the cell through the receptor and initiate a signaling cascade that enhances the neuron's response to subsequent stimuli.

Step-by-step explanation:

After NMDA receptors fully open in a postsynaptic hippocampal neuron experiencing long term potentiation, calcium ions (Ca²+) flow into the postsynaptic cell through the NMDA receptors. This influx of calcium initiates a signaling cascade that leads to the insertion of AMPA receptors into the postsynaptic membrane. These activated AMPA receptors allow more positive ions to enter the cell in response to glutamate release, resulting in a larger excitatory effect (EPSP) and enhancing the neuron's response to subsequent stimuli from the presynaptic cell.