Question

Dr. Pohler is a neurobiologist studying ways to enhance the perception of sound in people with hearing difficulties. He discovers a natural neurotransmitter that increases the chance a neuron will fire an action potential, increasing sensitivity to sound. What is the effect of this neurotransmitter on the receiving neuron?

a.
inhibitory, causing hyperpolarization
b.
inhibitory, causing depolarization
c.
excitatory, causing hyperpolarization
d.
excitatory, causing depolarization

Answer 1

The neurotransmitter has an excitatory effect on the receiving neuron, causing depolarization.

Step-by-step explanation:

The effect of this neurotransmitter on the receiving neuron is excitatory, causing depolarization. When the neurotransmitter is released at a synapse with a sensory neuron, it binds to a receptor on the postsynaptic membrane. This binding causes ligand-gated ion channels to open, allowing positively charged ions, such as Na+, to enter the postsynaptic neuron. This influx of positive ions leads to depolarization of the membrane, making the neuron more likely to generate an action potential.