dictionary help| inhibitory synapse | medical dictionary |
A synapse in which an action potential in the presynaptic cell reduces the probability of an action potential occurring in the postsynaptic cell. The most common inhibitory neurotransmitter is GABA, this opens channels in the postsynaptic cell which tend to stabilise its resting potential, thus rendering it less likely to fire.
See: excitatory synapse, presynaptic inhibition, postsynaptic inhibition.
(11 Mar 2008)
inhibitory-motor, inhibitory nerve, inhibitory postsynaptic potential < Prev | Next > inhumation, inhume, inia, iniac
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