A postsynaptic neuron in a neuron (nerve cell) that receives the neurotransmitter after it has crossed the synapse and may experience an action potential if the neurotransmitter is strong enough. Postsynaptic neurons work through temporal summation and spatial summation.

Why is the postsynaptic potential important?

Postsynaptic potential (PSP), a temporary change in the electric polarization of the membrane of a nerve cell (neuron). ... The ability to integrate multiple PSPs at multiple synapses is an important property of neurons and is called summation.

What happens at post synaptic neuron?

Basically, a postsynaptic neuron adds together, or integrates, all of the excitatory and inhibitory inputs it receives and “decides” whether to fire an action potential. The integration of postsynaptic potentials that occur in different locations—but at about the same time—is known as spatial summation.