Suppose a particular neurotransmitter causes an IPSP in postsynaptic cell X and an EPSP in postsynaptic cell Y. A likely explanation is that
A) the threshold value in the postsynaptic membrane is different for cell X and cell Y.
B) cell Y forms chemical synapses, whereas cell X forms electrical synapses.
C) the axon of cell X is myelinated, but that of cell Y is not.
D) only cell Y produces an enzyme that terminates the activity of the neurotransmitter.
E) cells X and Y express different receptor molecules for this particular neurotransmitter.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that the same neurotransmitter is causing different effects in two different postsynaptic cells suggests that the receptors on the two cells are different. This would explain why one cell experiences an inhibitory effect (IPSP) and the other cell experiences an excitatory effect (EPSP).

Suppose a Particular Neurotransmitter Causes an IPSP in Postsynaptic Cell