Chapter 2 - Electrical Signals Of Nerve Cells Flashcards
Synaptic Potential
A type of electrical signal that occurs between neurons at synaptic clefts.
Receptor Potential
A potential change in the cell’s resting potential.
Action Potential
Electrical signals that are generated by neurons that travel the length of their axons.
Hyperpolarization
When the membrane is more negative than normal.
Passive Electrical Responses
A response of the cell that requires no unique properties, e.g. hyperpolarization.
Depolarization
When the membrane becomes more positive. High enough depolarization results in action potential.
Threshold Potential
The membrane potential at which the neuron will generate an action potential.
Active Transporters
Membrane proteins that force ions to move against their concentration gradient.
Ion Channels
Membrane proteins that allow only certain kinds of ions to cross the membrane.
Electrochemical Equilibrium
An equilibrium formed by (1) the concentration gradient of an ion, and (2) the opposing electrical gradient that increasingly stops ions from moving across the membrane.
Equilibrium Potential
The electrical potential generated across the membrane at electrochemical equilibrium.
Nernst Equation
An equation that can predict the equilibrium potential for a single ion species.
Goldman Equation
An equation that can predict the equilibrium potential for multiple ion species.
Rising Phase
A phase of depolarization that drastically increased membrane permeability to Na+ ions.
Overshoot Phase
The peak of an action potential.
Undershoot
The temporary negative increase in membrane potential following an action potential.
