Increased permeability to which type of ion would most likely result in an IPSP?
A)sodium
B)potassium
C)calcium
D)bicarbonate

Question

Increased permeability to which type of ion would most likely result in an IPSP?​
A)sodium
B)​potassium
C)​calcium
D)bicarbonate

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Increased permeability to potassium ions would result in an efflux of positive charge, hyperpolarizing the cell and making it more difficult to initiate an action potential. This corresponds to an inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP). Increased permeability to sodium or calcium ions would depolarize the cell and increase the likelihood of an action potential, corresponding to an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP). Bicarbonate ions are negatively charged and would not directly cause a change in the cell's membrane potential.

Increased Permeability to Which Type of Ion Would Most Likely