2 Neural signalling Flashcards
4 factors contribute to membrane resting potential
- intracellular charged proteins
- Na+/K+ pump
- sodium ions
- potassium ions
intracellular proteins
negative groups on surface = -ve
Na+/K+ pump
3 Na out
2 K in
= overall net negative p.d
sodium ions
membrane not very permeable to Na ions
membrane is only slightly permeable to Na+, so its effects on resting potential are small
net inward diffusion of Na+ slightly adds to the positivity of the cell = brings up to -65mV
both conc + electrical gradient pull Na+ in
potassium gradient
K+ out = conc gradient through channels
K+ in = electrical gradient pulls in due to -ve charge in cell
cell resting membrane potential =
close to but not equal to the potassium equilibrium potential as there is also a small leak for sodium ions
an action potential is…
away from cell body -> towards axon terminal
the means by which a neuron sends information down its axon, away from the cell body.
The action potential (spike/impulse) is an explosion of electrical activity that is created by a depolarising current
at RP
-65mV
all voltage gated Na+ and K+ channels closed
non-voltage dependent K+ channels are open
phases of AP 1
Na+ channels open
Na+ enters nerve cell
Membrane potential rises towards zero
phases of AP 2 = DEPOLARISATION
If threshold potential reached, voltage gated Na+ channels open
Na+ ions flow into cell
Action potential spike results
phases of AP 3 = REPOLARISATION
happen after reversal potential
Na+ channels close when Na+ equilibrium potential is reached
Voltage gated K+ channels open and K+ ions flow out of cell
Membrane potential reverses
phases of AP 4 = HYPERPOLARISATION
K+ ions continue to flow out of cell while Na+ channels closed
Hyperpolarisation results
AP = all or nothing principle
Membrane has to be depolarised beyond threshold for an AP to be generated
Further increase above threshold -> higher AP frequency not larger AP amplitude
absolute refractory period
= on graph the spike up to before hyperpolarisation
no further action potentials can be elicited = ensures AP propagation is one way
relative refractory period
= on graph starts at hyperpolarisation (end of repolarisation)
a larger stimulus can result in action potential
non-myelinated neuron AP conduction
wave along entire length of axon
myelinated neuron AP conduction
jumps along between Nodes of Ranvier = faster
Receptor potential caused by
detection of stimulus by receptor which then causes an AP is above threshold
stronger the RP
higher freq of AP generated
2 main sensory receptors in muscle
- muscle spindle
2. golgi tendon organ (GTO)
muscle spindle and GTO are both
mechanoreceptors = pressure changes proprioceptors = position and movement
muscle spindle stimulated when
muscle is passively stretched
GTO responds to
tension = stimulated when its associated muscle contracts or stretches in response to tension