The opening of sodium ion channels that is stimulated by the

The opening of sodium ion channels that is stimulated by the binding of a neurotransmitter to its receptor on a neighboring neuron, and the subsequent movement of ions across that membrane, describes the development of a(n).... a) action potential b) presynaptic potential c) end plate potential d) excitatory post-synaptic potential e) inhibitory post-synaptic potential

Solution

The transmission of nerve potential across the neurons is highly dependent upon coherent function of many ionic species. Out of these, the sodium, potassium and calcium ions play the most crucial role. The neuronal membrane contain voltage gated ion channels for movement of these ions across the plasma membrane. Particularly, when a stimulus arrives, the voltage gated sodium channels open up and promote outward movement of the sodium ions from the cytoplasm to the extracellular fluid. This generates a net positive charge in the extracellular fluid and net negative charge on the membrane of the neuron. This positive charge activates the neuron for excitation and generates the action potential with a voltage of nearly 30-40 mV. As the action potential is executed in a neuron, the biochemical information is transmitted to another neuron residing post-synapse.

Thus, the correct answer is choice a (action potential).