<P> When a presynaptic neuron is excited , it releases a neurotransmitter from vesicles into the synaptic cleft . The neurotransmitter then binds to receptors located on the postsynaptic neuron . If these receptors are ligand - gated ion channels , a resulting conformational change opens the ion channels , which leads to a flow of ions across the cell membrane . This , in turn , results in either a depolarization , for an excitatory receptor response , or a hyperpolarization , for an inhibitory response . </P>
<P> When a presynaptic neuron is excited , it releases a neurotransmitter from vesicles into the synaptic cleft . The neurotransmitter then binds to receptors located on the postsynaptic neuron . If these receptors are ligand - gated ion channels , a resulting conformational change opens the ion channels , which leads to a flow of ions across the cell membrane . This , in turn , results in either a depolarization , for an excitatory receptor response , or a hyperpolarization , for an inhibitory response . </P>
where are ligand-gated ion channels found in cells
where are ligand-gated ion channels found in cells
cell membrane
cell membrane