If one impales a neuron with two different intracellular microelectrodes, one to measure membrane potential and a second to pass brief hyperpolarizing current pulses into the cell, why does the size of the measured changes in membrane potential caused by the current pulses decrease when transmitter binds to an ionotropic receptor?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When ionotropic receptors open, they allow ions to flow across the membrane, increasing the membrane's conductance. This leads to a decrease in the input resistance of the cell, which means that for a given amount of current injected, the change in membrane potential will be smaller.

If One Impales a Neuron with Two Different Intracellular Microelectrodes