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EPSP/IPSP

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Please answer the following:
(a) Explain the difference between an EPSP and an IPSP.
(b) What specifically determines whether an EPSP or IPSP will be generated at the postsynaptic membrane?

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Solution Summary

The solution explains the difference between EPSP and IPSP, and what specifically determines whether an EPSP or IPSP will be generated at the postsynaptic membrane.

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An EPSP stands for "excitatory post-synaptic potential" while IPSP stands for "inhibitory post-synaptic potential."

A single postsynaptic neuron receives many different inputs from many different presynaptic neurons. These signals are integrated and summed. The sum effect of all of these excitatory and inhibitory input signals determines the effect on the postsynaptic neuron.

If the sum of excitatory signals is greater than the inhibitory signals, then an EPSP is generated. An EPSP must be ...

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