Why Neuron A is a healthy neuron
Neuron A is a healthy neuron with all the usual ion channels. When at rest with a membrane voltage of R millivolts, neuron A produces no action potentials. The voltage threshold for an action potential in neuron A is T millivolts. T is greater than R; T is less than zero. In addition, neuron A's membrane includes the membrane-spanning molecule Z with an ion channel that opens when neurotransmitter Y binds to the Y receptor site on the extracellular surface of Z. The Nernst equilibrium potential for Z's ion channel is E millivolts. Neuron B synapses on neuron A; neuron B's neurotransmitter is neurotransmitter Y. Which of the following statements are true when neuron A is initially at rest and neuron B releases neurotransmitter Y?
A. If the value of E is equal to R, and if chloride is the only ion that passes through open Z channels, then Y's binding to its receptor site on Z in neuron A produces no change in the amount of intracellular chloride ions in neuron A.
B. If the value of E is equal to R, and if chloride is the only ion that passes through open Z channels, then Y's binding to its receptor site on Z in neuron A produces no change in the chloride conductance of the plasma membrane of neuron A.
C. If the value of E is zero and if both sodium ions and potassium ions pass through open Z channels, then Y's binding to its receptor site on Z in neuron A produces no change in the amount of intracellular sodium ions in neuron A.