2.1 Neuron Properties Flashcards
Dendrites
Receive synaptic INPUTS from neuronal axons
Cell Body (neuron)
Same organelles as any other cell
Trigger zone
Action potentials are started here, axon runs with them
Axons
Fire rapid impulses (APs) to synaptic terminals
Pre-synaptic terminal
Releases output signal to “post,” releases neurotransmitters at synapse
Multipolar neurons are found in…
Brain, spine, motor
Bipolar neurons are found in…
Retina, ear, nose
Unipolar neurons are…
Sensory receptor neurons
3 things necessary for cellular membrane potentials
1) Ions can be pumped through ion carriers embedded in cell membrane
2) Ions are maintained at different concentrations on either side of cell membrane (concentration gradient)
3) The ion (thus the potentials) can change by flowing through ion channels
Major ions that are pumped in neurons
Na+, K+, Cl-, Ca2+
What happens if there is not a constant source of energy for ion pumps?
Gradients erode very quickly, if you die from running out of energy it is probably because these pumps stopped working
Passive / Leakage (nongated channels)
Open randomly, important in maintaining the baseline neuronal membrane potential ; ion flow sensitive to concentration gradients
POTASSIUM
Ligand-gated channels
Open in response to binding of a ligand (neurotransmitters, hormones, etc)
Voltage-gated channels
Respond to changes in transmembrane potential (when it deviates from ‘normal’ resting membrane potential”
Mechanically gated ion channels
Respond to mechanical vibration; pressure
Activated by physical stretching of plasma membrane
Resting membrane potential
Baseline, status quo, where neuron sits most of the time, -70mV
Depolarization
Reduces the potential difference, brings it closer to zero.. Describes the state of flux when going more positive
Repolarizing
Potential is fluxing, getting more negative and returning to the reference point
Hyperpolarization
Increasing the potential difference; making it more negative (further away from 0) goes beyond -70mV
What does an RMP of -70 mV mean?
It’s more negative inside the neuron’s plasma membrane
Three compartments that matter to the RMP
1) Aqueous extracellular fluid (ECF) (aka interstitial fluid)
2) Non-conducting lipid barrier
3) Aqueous cytoplasm
What causes the potential difference?
1) Ion differences between ECF and cytoplasm
2) Ion pumps
3) Selective ion leakage
Ion differences
Phosphates and proteins are anions at physiological pH, they stay trapped in the cell
THEIR (-) CHARGES DOMINATE OVER THE IONS (Na/Cl/K)
-Primary reason the cytoplasm stays more negative
Are anions more concentrated inside or outside cell?
Inside
Is K+ more concentrated inside or outside cell?
Inside
Is Cl- more concentrated inside or outside cell?
Outside