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What does an inhibitory stimulus hyperpolarize or depolarize a neuron?

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User Tjfdfs
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Answer:

An inhibitory stimulus hyperpolarizes a neuron, which means it makes the membrane potential more negative.

When an inhibitory stimulus is applied to a neuron, it opens ion channels that allow negatively charged ions (e.g. chloride ions) to enter the cell or positively charged ions (e.g. potassium ions) to leave the cell. This movement of ions makes the inside of the neuron more negative relative to the outside, which increases the membrane potential and makes it more difficult for the neuron to generate an action potential.

In contrast, a depolarizing stimulus makes the membrane potential more positive and makes it easier for the neuron to generate an action potential. This can occur when excitatory signals from other neurons cause positively charged ions (e.g. sodium ions) to enter the neuron and make the inside of the cell more positive.

So, inhibitory and depolarizing stimuli have opposite effects on the membrane potential of a neuron.

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User Sachi
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