Question

The following statement is similar to those you might see on exams. Write a paragraph of 3-5 sentences describing 1) whether the statement is correct or incorrect and 2) the reasoning for your answer. Your answer should demonstrate your understanding of the physiological concepts underlying the statement and be written professionally.

At a chemical synapse, the release of neurotransmitter occurs in response to a graded depolarization of the synaptic terminal.

Answer 1

This statement is true because the synapse is the form of interneuronal communication from the release of neurotransmitters by the presynaptic neuron. These bind to receptors in the postsynaptic cell. The post-synaptic receptors cause the opening or closing of ion channels in the cell membrane. These depolarize or hyperpolarize depending of the participating ions.