Question

From L or R, indicated whether the transmitter-gated channels for 1. calcium, 2. chloride, 3. potassium, & 4. sodium at a chemical synapse usually open in response to excitatory (E) or inhibitory (I)

Answer 1

The transmitter-gated channels for calcium, chloride, potassium, and sodium at a chemical synapse can open in response to both excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters.

Step-by-step explanation:

The transmitter-gated channels for calcium, chloride, potassium, and sodium at a chemical synapse usually open in response to either excitatory or inhibitory neurotransmitters.

For example, when acetylcholine is released at the synapse between a nerve and muscle, it causes postsynaptic sodium channels to open, resulting in depolarization and excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP). On the other hand, when the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is released, it binds to and opens chloride channels, leading to hyperpolarization and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs).

Overall, the response depends on the specific neurotransmitter and its interaction with the postsynaptic membrane.