How does a neuron integrate excitatory and inhibitory synapses?

Synapse is the region between neurons where neurotransmitters (chemical mediators) act, transmitting the nerve impulse from one neuron to another, or from one neuron to a muscle or glandular cell.

There are two types of synapses: chemical and electrical. Chemical synapses are most common in humans and other mammals. Electric synapses are more common in invertebrate organisms, in humans they usually do not occur in neurons, only in glial or muscle cells. It is in the chemical synapses that the excitatory and inhibitory synapses occur.

Chimeric synapses start at the axon terminal (a slightly wider knotted region in the neuron) of the presynaptic cell.  Neurotransmitter-containing vesicles are released into the synaptic cleft and are recognized by chemical receptors (specific proteins) on the postsynaptic cell membrane.  They then fuse with the membrane and release its contents. The chemical bond between the neurotransmitter and the next neuron receptor generates changes that will cause the electrical signal to be transmitted.

Chemical synapses can be excitatory or inhibitory, depending on the type of signal they conduct.  If the signal produced in the postsynaptic membrane is depolarization, initiating the action potential, then it will be an excitatory synapse.  If the signal produced in the postsynaptic membrane hyperpolarization is, the resulting action is inhibitory action potential, so in this case there is an inhibitory synapse.

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