How could you increase the magnitude of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) generated at a synapse?

Question

Veronica Reeves

Biology

9 August, 19:55

How could you increase the magnitude of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) generated at a synapse?

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Kaila Avila · Answer 1

Generally, for excitatory post synaptic potential to be generated, positively charged ions e. g. Ca + must diffuse through the ligand gated ion channels into the pre-synaptic neuron neuron; while preventing the outflow of positively charged ions e. g K + from the pre - synaptic membrane.

The influx of calcium ion causes migration in the pre - synaptic neuron of vesicles contain cholinergic excitatory neurotransmitters Acetycholine. This binds to the post - synaptic receptors for opening of ligand gated ion channels for Sodium ions. The influx of Sodium ions causes depolarization which if magnitude is up to threshold levels causes EPSPs.

Therefore, to increase the magnitude of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) generated at a synapse;

Increasing the influx of positively charged Ca + in the pre-synaptic neuron, while decreasing the ouflux of positively charged k + ions; will increase number of acetycholine containing excitatory neurotransmitters vesicles migration to the pre-synaptic membrane, and therefore more acetycholine molecules diffusion into the synaptic membrane for binding with the post-synaptic receptors. This leads to opening of more sodium ion channels, for more depolarization and therefore increase in generation of EPSPs magnitude.