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Postsynaptic Potentials

Responses occurring at the level of postsynaptic neurons.

Action Potential

A full-blown electrical signal triggered when a neuron's threshold is reached, involving pre-synaptic changes.

Resting Membrane Potential

The electrical potential difference across a neuron’s membrane when it is not firing, maintained primarily by sodium-potassium pumps.

Sodium-Potassium Pump

A membrane protein that transports sodium out of the cell and potassium into the cell, crucial for maintaining resting membrane potential.

Depolarization

The process during action potential when the inside of the neuron becomes more positive due to influx of sodium ions.

Refractory Period

The time following an action potential during which a neuron is less sensitive to stimuli.

EPSP (Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential)

A small local depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane potential that increases the likelihood of action potential generation.

IPSP (Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential)

A local hyperpolarization of the postsynaptic membrane that decreases the likelihood of generating an action potential.

Temporal Summation

The additive effect of multiple signals at the same synapse over time leading to a greater postsynaptic response.

Spatial Summation

The additive effect of signals from multiple presynaptic neurons at the same time leading to a greater postsynaptic response.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers released from presynaptic neurons that transmit signals across a synapse to postsynaptic neurons.

Exocytosis

The process by which neurotransmitters are released from synaptic vesicles into the synaptic cleft.

Calcium Channels

Ion channels that open upon arrival of an action potential, allowing calcium to enter the presynaptic terminal and trigger neurotransmitter release.

Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels

Channels that open in response to membrane depolarization, allowing sodium ions to enter the neuron and propagate action potentials.

Ion Channels

Membrane proteins that allow ions to pass through the membrane, playing a critical role in generating action potentials and synaptic potentials.