Cellular Neurophysiology Flashcards
Action Potential (AP)
an electrical impulse that changes the permeability of a membrane
Transport proteins
(channels/carrier) facilitates ion movement across the plasma membrane
Chemical gradient (concentration gradient)
the energy provided by the difference in concentration across the plasma membrane
Electrochemical gradient
the energy associated with moving charged molecules across a plasma membrane - when a membrane potential exist
Nerst potential value
this tells us what the membrane potential is if one ion is in control
Resting Membrane Potential (RMP)
charge difference across the plasma membrane
Na+ / K+ ATPase
maintains the RMP by ensuring that K+ and Na+ does not reach equilibrium
Local potentials
changes in membrane potential of a cell neuron occurring at and nearby the part of the cell that is stimulated
axial resistance
How well a current can move through the cytoplasm
- bigger axon diameter, less axial resistance
Depolarisation
The change from a negative resting potential to a positive resting potential which is caused by the opening of sodium channels
- moves towards zero, more positive
Overshoot
anything that cause the membrane potential to pass across zero
repolarisation
the change from a positive resting potential back to a negative resting potential which is caused by the opening of potassium channels
- move away zero, become mor negative
Hyperpolarisation
An increase in the potential difference across a cell membrane, making it more negative than the resting membrane potential (>-70)
polarisation
when the outside of the cell is zero and the inside of the cell is -70 its polarised
threshold
Level of stimulation needed to trigger a neural impulse
absolute refractory period
time during which another action potential is impossible; limits maximal firing rate
relative refractory period
the period of time following an action potential, when it is possible, but difficult, for the neuron to fire a second action potential, due to the fact that the membrane is further from threshold potential (hyperpolarized)
afterhyperpolarisation (undershoot phase)
the hyperpolarizing phase of a neurons action potential where the cells membrane potential falls below the normal resting potential
regenerative
propagated without decreasing amplitude
How is RMP altered if threshold is not reach?
it occurs by changing the permeability of the membrane to a particular ion