Textbook Question
Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.
A depolarization is a change in membrane potential that makes the potential less negative.
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Ch. 11 Introduction to the Nervous System and Nervous Tissue
Amerman2nd EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136873822
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology26
- Ch. 2 The Chemistry of Life38
- Ch. 3 The Cell55
- Ch. 4 Histology47
- Ch. 5 The Integumentary System30
- Ch. 6 Bones and Bone Tissue36
- Ch. 7 The Skeletal System40
- Ch. 8 Articulations19
- Ch. 9 The Muscular System36
- Ch. 10 Muscle Tissue and Physiology29
- Ch. 11 Introduction to the Nervous System and Nervous Tissue28
- Ch. 12 The Central Nervous System42
- Ch. 13 The Peripheral Nervous System41
- Ch. 14 The Autonomic Nervous System and Homeostasis31
- Ch. 15 The Special Senses39
- Ch. 16 The Endocrine System42
- Ch. 17 The Cardiovascular System I: The Heart30
- Ch. 18 The Cardiovascular System II: The Blood Vessels43
- Ch. 19 Blood32
- Ch. 20 The Lymphatic System and Immunity45
- Ch. 21 The Respiratory System27
- Ch. 22 The Digestive System27
- Ch. 23 Metabolism and Nutrition7
- Ch. 24 The Urinary System39
- Ch. 25 Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Homeostasis39
- Ch. 26 The Reproductive System10
- Ch. 27 Development and Heredity5
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Amerman 2nd EditionCh. 11 Introduction to the Nervous System and Nervous TissueProblem 16c
Amerman 2nd EditionCh. 11 Introduction to the Nervous System and Nervous TissueProblem 16cChapter 11, Problem 16c
Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement if false, correct it to make a true statement.
An inhibitory postsynaptic potential causes the membrane potential of the postsynaptic neuron to approach threshold.
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Understand the key terms in the statement: An inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) is a type of synaptic potential that makes a postsynaptic neuron less likely to generate an action potential. This occurs because the IPSP hyperpolarizes the membrane, moving it further away from the threshold.
Analyze the statement: 'An inhibitory postsynaptic potential causes the membrane potential of the postsynaptic neuron to approach threshold.' The term 'approach threshold' implies that the membrane potential is moving closer to the threshold for triggering an action potential.
Compare the definition of IPSP with the statement: Since IPSPs hyperpolarize the membrane (make it more negative), they move the membrane potential further away from the threshold, not closer to it. This means the statement is false.
Correct the false statement: A corrected version of the statement would be, 'An inhibitory postsynaptic potential causes the membrane potential of the postsynaptic neuron to move further away from threshold.'
Summarize the reasoning: The key to solving this problem is understanding that IPSPs decrease the likelihood of an action potential by hyperpolarizing the membrane, which is the opposite of moving it closer to the threshold.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential (IPSP)
An inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) is a change in the postsynaptic membrane potential that makes it less likely to generate an action potential. This occurs when neurotransmitters bind to receptors that open ion channels, allowing negatively charged ions to enter the neuron or positively charged ions to exit, leading to hyperpolarization.
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05:55
Postsynaptic Potential
Membrane Potential
Membrane potential refers to the electrical potential difference across a cell's membrane, which is crucial for the function of neurons. It is determined by the distribution of ions inside and outside the cell, and changes in this potential can lead to the generation of action potentials, which are essential for neuronal communication.
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03:31Change in Membrane Potential
Threshold Potential
Threshold potential is the critical level to which a membrane potential must be depolarized to initiate an action potential. If the membrane potential reaches this threshold, voltage-gated sodium channels open, leading to a rapid influx of sodium ions and the subsequent firing of the neuron. IPSPs move the membrane potential away from this threshold, making it less likely for an action potential to occur.
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01:45Graded Potentials Example 2
Related Practice
Textbook Question
Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.
A local potential is a change in membrane potential that conducts the long-distance signals of the nervous system.
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Textbook Question
Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement if false, correct it to make a true statement.
Postsynaptic potentials may summate by spatial summation in which multiple neurons fire onto a single postsynaptic neuron.