electrochemical actions

Question 1

what is the process of electrical conduction in the neuron

3

Answer 1

1) RESTING POTENTIAL (only K+ allowed to pass, negatively charged inside)
2) ACTION POTENTIAL (membrane channels allow NA+ in, inside charge > outside)
3) DEPOLARISATION (action potential is fired due to positive charge)

Question 2

what happens after electrical conduction in the neuron

3

Answer 2

1) SALTATORY CONDUCTION (action potential travels down the neuron)
2) REFRACTORY PERIOD (ions are imbalances and another action potential cannot occur)
3) HYPERPOLARISATION -> REPOLARISATION (channels are closed and K+ ions are pumped back in)

Question 3

what is the process of transmission

3

Answer 3

1) AP reaches the axon terminal buttons
2) these trigger the release of neurotransmitters as a chemical signal
3) neurotransmitters bind to the post-synaptic receptors and transmit the signal

Question 4

what happens post transmission

3

Answer 4

1) REUPTAKE (leftover neurotransmitters reabsorbed into terminal buttons)
2) ENZYME DEACTIVATION (some neurotransmitters are destroyed by enzymes in the synapse)
3) AUTORECEPTORS (some neurotransmitters bind to these to prevent taking in too much)