Answer:
A postsynaptic potential is defined as excitatory if it makes it easier for the neuron to fire an action potential. ... A postsynaptic potential is considered inhibitory when the resulting change in membrane voltage makes it more difficult for the cell to fire an action potential, lowering the firing rate of the neuron.
Bu definition, the difference between an excitatory postsynaptic potential and an inhibitory postsynaptic potential is the ion channels that these open.
The binding of neurotransmitters to their receptors can produce different effects on the postsynaptic neuron, including the opening of ion channels. This causes changes in the membrane potential and leads to the generation of postsynaptic potentials. These postsynaptic potentials can be of two types: postsynaptic excitatory potentials and postsynaptic inhibitory potentials.
In other words, depending on the type of ions that allow the receptor-channels or channels that were activated directly or indirectly by the neurotransmitter to pass, the postsynaptic potential generated may be depolarizing (excitatory postsynaptic potential) or hyperpolarizing (inhibitory postsynthetic potential).
The inhibitory postsynaptic potential changes the charge of the neuron to make it more negatively charged, that is, the membrane potential becomes more negative (hyperpolarizations).
In contrast, an excitatory postsynaptic potential is a change in the electrical charge of a nerve cell or neuron. The neuron begins with a negative charge, but the excitatory postsynaptic potential makes this charge more positive, that is, the membrane potential becomes less negative (depolarization).
So the difference between an excitatory postsynaptic potential and an inhibitory postsynaptic potential is the ion channels that these open. The binding of neurotransmitters to their receptors can produce different effects on the postsynaptic neuron, including the opening of ion channels. This causes changes in the membrane potential and leads to the generation of postsynaptic potentials.
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