Neurotransmitters Categorized as Inhibitory are Expected To

Question

Neurotransmitters categorized as inhibitory are expected to
A) act independently of their receptor proteins.
B) close potassium channels.
C) open sodium channels.
D) close chloride channels.
E) hyperpolarize the membrane.

Accepted Answer

Inhibitory neurotransmitters typically function by hyperpolarizing the membrane, making it more negative and thus less likely to fire an action potential. This is often achieved through mechanisms such as opening potassium channels (allowing K+ to exit the cell, making the inside more negative) or opening chloride channels (allowing Cl- to enter the cell, making the inside more negative), not by closing them.