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Excitatory / inhibitory synapsesAt some synapses, the channels in the post-synaptic membrane are sodium channels. The release of neurotransmitters thus allows positively charged sodium ions to flow into the receiving neuron, causing a slight depolarization of the neuron (the interior of the neuron becomes less negative than normal), which makes the neuron more likely to fire. Synapses with sodium channels are called excitatory synapses.Other synapses have chloride channels. The release of neurotransmitters thus allows negatively charged chloride ions to flow into the receiving neuron, causing a slight hyperpolarization of the neuron (the interior of the neuron becomes more negative than normal), which makes the neuron less likely to fire. We call these inhibitory synapses. |