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→Postsynaptic Mechanisms of Chemical Transmission
* As a consequence, when these kinds of ligand-gated ion channels are activated, the equilibrium or Nernst potential of the ions to which they are permeable have less effect on the overall membrane potential, and so have the opposite effects of increased conductance postsynaptic potentials.
* Thus, if a ligand-gated channel is open in the resting postsynaptic membrane, and is permeable to sodium ions, then when it is activated by binding the channel binds transmitterand closes, the membrane hyperpolarizes, because it has become the membrane is now less permeable to sodium ions.
* Similarly, if a ligand-gated channel is open in the resting postsynaptic membrane, and is permeable to potassium ions, then when it is activated by binding the channel binds transmitterand closes, the membrane depolarizes, because it has become the membrane is less permeable to potassium ions.
* Here is a table that summarizes increased and decreased conductance post-synaptic potentials; it is not exhaustive, but should help clarify the concept:
