Dictionary of Biological Psychology
A change in MEMBRANE potential of a CELL that makes it more negative.
In the case of excitable cells, this can be accomplished by opening any ION CHANNEL that is selectively permeable to positive ions (see ION) that are more abundant inside the cell, such as POTASSIUM, or to negative ions that are more abundant outside the cell, such as CHLORIDE. A hyperpolarizing input is often called ‘inhibitory’ because it moves the membrane potential away from the neuron’s THRESHOLD, thereby making it more difficult for other inputs to excite the cell to threshold.
DOUGLAS D.RASMUSSON
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