Compare and contrast EPSPs and IPSPs and discuss the advanta

Compare and contrast EPSPs and IPSPs and discuss the advantages that are gained by having the ability to send both excitatory and inhibitory messages via neurotransmission.

Solution

EPSPs and IPSPs are graded potentials in postsynaptic cells resulting from the action of neurotransmitters at synapses.They are usually on dendrites of multipolar neurons but they could also be in the synaptic region of any target cell. EPSPs increase the probability that a postsynaptic action potential will result, because they involve an influx of sodium, which depolarizes the membrane potential. where IPSPs decrease the probability that a postsynaptic action potential will result, because they involve either an influx of chloride or an efflux of potassium, either of which hyperpolarizes the membrane potential, moving it farther from threshold.EPSP is net gain of positive charge when the ion channel is opened, brings the potential of a neuron down from it\'s resting potential closer to it\'s firing potential.Where IPSP is net gain of negative charge when the ion channel is opened, brings the potential up from it\'s resting potential ,resulting in the neuron going further away from the firing potential, making it less likely to trigger, hence the word \'inhibitory\'.