Medical dictionary. 2011.
Excitatory postsynaptic potential — In neuroscience, an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) is a temporary depolarization of postsynaptic membrane potential caused by the flow of positively charged ions into the postsynaptic cell. They are the opposite of inhibitory… … Wikipedia
Postsynaptic potential — Postsynaptic potentials are changes in the membrane potential of the postsynaptic terminal of a chemical synapse. Postsynaptic potentials are graded potentials, and should not be confused with action potentials although their function is to… … Wikipedia
postsynaptic potential — In a synapse, a change in the resting potential of a postsynaptic cell following stimulation of the presynaptic cell. For example, in a cholinergic synapse, the release of acetylcholine from the presynaptic cell causes channels to open in the… … Dictionary of molecular biology
Inhibitory postsynaptic potential — An Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential (commonly abbreviated as IPSP) is the change in membrane voltage of a postsynaptic neuron which results from synaptic activation of inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors. The most common inhibitory… … Wikipedia
postsynaptic potential — ▪ biology a temporary change in the electric polarization of the membrane of a nerve cell ( neuron). The result of chemical transmission of a nerve impulse at the synapse (neuronal junction), the postsynaptic potential can lead to the… … Universalium
postsynaptic potential — a change in polarization of a postsynaptic neuron; see excitatory postsynaptic p. and inhibitory postsynaptic p … Medical dictionary
excitatory — Tending to produce excitation. * * * ex·cit·ato·ry ik sīt ə .tōr ē, .tȯr adj 1) tending to induce excitation (as of a neuron) <excitatory substances> <excitatory and inhibitory pathways from the brain (W. G. Van der Kloot)> 2)… … Medical dictionary
potential — 1. Capable of doing or being, although not yet doing or being; possible, but not actual. 2. A state of tension in an electric source enabling it to do work under suitable conditions; in relation to electricity, p. is analogous to the temperature… … Medical dictionary
Action potential — In physiology, an action potential is a short lasting event in which the electrical membrane potential of a cell rapidly rises and falls, following a consistent trajectory. Action potentials occur in several types of animal cells, called… … Wikipedia
Membrane potential — Differences in concentration of ions on opposite sides of a cellular membrane lead to a voltage called the membrane potential. Many ions have a concentration gradient across the membrane, including potassium (K+), which is at a high inside and a… … Wikipedia
