IB Biology: C2.2-Inhibitory and Excitatory Neurotransmitters

What is the primary function of an inhibitory neuron?

• Stimulate other neurons to respond

• Suppress responsiveness and prevent excessive firing

• Transmit electrical messages

• Increase positive charges inside the neuron

How is the responsiveness or excitability of a neuron determined?

• By the value of electrical voltage across its membrane

• By the number of dendrites it possesses

• By the type of glial cells surrounding it

• By the speed at which it transmits messages

When GABA binds to its receptors, what is the resulting effect on the neuron?

• It allows positively charged ions to flow into the neuron, making it more responsive.

• It triggers chloride channels to open, allowing chloride ions to flow in and making the neuron more negative.

• It causes the neuron to immediately transmit an electrical signal.

• It prevents any ion flow across the neuron's membrane.

What happens when glutamate binds to its receptors on a neuron?

• It causes the neuron to become less positive and less likely to generate electrical signals.

• It allows positively charged ions into the cell, making it more positive and more likely to generate electrical signals.

• It triggers the outflow of all ions from the neuron, leading to inactivity.

• It has no effect on the electrical charge of the neuron.