Excitatory synapse

From Free net encyclopedia

An excitatory synapse is a synapse in which an action potential in the presynaptic cell increases the probability of an action potential occurring in the postsynaptic cell.

At an excitatory synapse, the transmitter opens sodium (Na+) channels, a slight depolarization of the receiving neuron occurs because of the movement of the positively charged sodium ions into the cell.

See also

• Inhibitory synapse

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