Final answer:
The statement that postsynaptic cell adaptation is hard due to infrequent receptor turnover is b) false, as postsynaptic cells have dynamic mechanisms, including receptor turnover and plasticity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The assertion that the postsynaptic cell is a hard target for cellular adaptation since turnover of receptors is infrequent is b) false.
Postsynaptic cells are quite adaptable, and the turnover of receptors happens more frequently than suggested.
When a neurotransmitter binds to receptors on the postsynaptic cell, the electrochemical potential of the cell changes, which can lead to a membrane depolarization.
This interaction is part of a dynamic process in which neurotransmitters released into the synapse are quickly degraded or reabsorbed by the presynaptic cell, allowing the postsynaptic cell to recover and be ready for subsequent signals.
Furthermore, postsynaptic cells can undergo various forms of plasticity, including changes in receptor expression and sensitivity, which constitute an adaptive response to different synaptic activity patterns.
The process by which the sodium-potassium pump restores the ion balance after an action potential is an example of such active transport requiring energy, demonstrating cellular adaptability.