Question

Inhibitory neurotransmitters such as glycine and GABA make a postsynaptic cell harder to depolarize by allowing what?

A. an influx of Na+
B. an influx of K+
C. the escape of Na+
D. an influx of Cl-

Answer 1

Inhibitory neurotransmitters like glycine and GABA result in an influx of Cl-, which hyperpolarizes the postsynaptic cell and makes it less likely to fire an action potential, thus inhibiting neuronal activity.

Step-by-step explanation:

Inhibitory neurotransmitters such as glycine and GABA make a postsynaptic cell harder to depolarize by allowing an influx of Cl-. These neurotransmitters bind to ligand-gated channels on the postsynaptic neuron, causing them to open and permit the entry of negatively charged chloride ions into the neuron. This influx of chloride ions hyperpolarizes the postsynaptic membrane, increasing its negative potential and making the neuron less likely to fire an action potential. Such a process is referred to as inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP), and the primary function is to decrease the excitability of the neuron, preventing overstimulation.