Excitation and Inhibition and Summation

What is summation?

It is the addition of the positive and negative post-synaptic potentials.

How do neurotransmitters have an effect on the next neuron?

They can either have an inhibitory or excitatory effect on the next neuron

How does summation work?

A nerve cell can receive both positive and negative potentials at the same time. These potentials are summed up and if the net effect on the post synaptic neuron is inhibitory, the neuron will be less likely to fire, and if the net effect is excitatory, the neuron will be more likely to fire.

How does excitation occur?

It occurs when receptor stimulation results in an increase in the positive charge of the post synaptic neuron which increases the likelihood of the neuron firing.

How does inhibition occur?

It occurs when the receptor stimulation results in an increase in the negative charge of the post synaptic neuron and decreases the likelihood of the neuron firing.