Electrical Neural Communication Flashcards
Hyperpolarization of dendrites and cell body
IPSP
These gates open near the peak of the action potential and close during after-hyperpolarization
Vg potassium channels
A measure of a difference in electrical potential
volt
What are some different ion pumps?
Sodium-potassium pump
Calcium pump
Tool that visualizes voltage change over time
oscilloscope
Can measure or record activity and can deliver electrical current (stimulate)
microelectrodes
When is electrochemical equilibrium achieved?
When the electrical force and concentration force are balanced. The net flux is 0
Combines input to same location over time. Changes how fast the input is
Temporal summation
Electrical force and concentration force want this ion to go in the cell, but the cell doesn’t want it
Sodium
Usually due to the inward flow of chloride ions or outward flow of potassium ions (rare)
IPSP
Dendrites do not have this
Myelination
Is the inside of an axon positive or negative?
negative
The neuron can fire with a stronger stimulus, AP less likely. K channels are still open, effluxing out; too much K comes out making it go beyond resting
Relative refractory period
If the membrane potential becomes more positive than its is at the resting potential, the membrane is said to be this
Depolarized
Protein structure in cell membrane that uses energy (ATP) to move ions across the membrane. Like a salmon swimming upstream
Ion pump
What are the different types of ion channels?
Voltage-dependent (electrical)
Ligand-gated (chemical)
Mechanically-gated (physical)
Ratio of intracellular ions
Large amounts of potassium ions. Small amounts of sodium and chloride
The decision point of the cell
Axon hillock
Features of the resting potential
Neuron is polarized
Charge is around -70 mV
Selectively permeable membrane
Uneven distribution of ions on the inside vs the outside
What cations are involved with axons?
Potassium, sodium, and calcium
Increase in electrical charge across a membrane (more negative)
IPSP
Limits how frequently a neuron can fire, maintains unidirectionality of signals
Refractory period
A device that measures the difference in electrical potential between two bodies
voltmeter
Small analogue signals summed over time and space
EPSP/IPSP integration
These negatively charged molecules are unable to pass through channels and pumps
Proteins
What is the resting potential value for most neurons?
-70 mV
This toxin is found in pufferfish and block VG Na channels and prevents the flow of sodium. It prevents the rising phase of AP and causes death by paralysis
Tetrodotoxin (TTX)
Charge of the threshold
Around -60 mV
Selectively binds to VG Na channels to stop the flow of NA. Prevents the rising phase of AP. No sensory or motor function
Local anesthetics. Novocaine, lidocaine, -caine
What happens at leak channels?
Some sodium ions enter the cell through these leak channels
Internal resistance to flow (how big is the diameter?)
Axial resistance
Tells the neuron not to fire
Inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs)
Electrical forces want this ion to go in the cell and concentration forces want this ion to move out of the cell
Potassium
Rank the membrane permeability to the ions at rest
None - Proteins and calcium
Less permeable - Sodium
In between less and more - Chloride
More permeable - Potassium
Junction of the cell body and axon that contains many voltage-gated channels
Axon hillock