Abstract
This chapter describes polyphasic synaptic activity. In chemical synapses, the transmitter released by a presynaptic neuron combines with specific receptor molecules in the postsynaptic neuronal membrane. This combination produces permeability changes for specific ions; thus, electric currents are created in the postsynaptic neuron that either depolarizes and excites it or hyperpolarizes and inhibits it. The measurable potential changes are called “postsynaptic potentials.” The inhibition comprises a short depolarizing phase followed by a long-duration hyperpolarizing inhibitory phase. Another type of inhibition of long duration comprises a fast hyperpolarizing phase followed by a slow hyperpolarizing phase. The neuronal interaction produces a complex response in the postsynaptic neuron. The electrical synapse responsible for the biphasic postsynaptic potential (BPSP) is based on the plurality of different postsynaptic receptors to the same transmitter substance. Thus, BPSP represents a rare case of electrically transmitted inhibition.
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