Post-synaptic potentials
- Pronunciation
- /POST-sin-nap-tic po-TEN-shuh-als/
- Category
- Neurophysiology
- Singular
- Post-synaptic potential
- Plural
- Post-synaptic potentials
Definition
Electrical transmissions that are initiated in central and peripheral neurons at the post-synapse. Unlike action potentials, which are all-or-nothing and propagated along the entire axon, PSPs are graded, passive and decremental.
Etymology
From the Greek words 'post-', meaning 'after', and 'synaptic', referring to the synapse.
Example
The post-synaptic potential was measured as a small depolarization of the membrane potential.
Related Terms
- Synapses
- Action potentials
- Neurotransmission
Usage Notes
PSPs are graded and can be either excitatory or inhibitory.