Electrophysiology Flashcards
What causes currents and the flow of charge in cells?
- ions
- cation = (+) charge
- anion = (-) charge
Test utilized to measure ion levels:
- complete metabolic panel (CMP)
Cell and tissue function is controlled by:
- ionic flux
Nomenclature of current in a cell:
- I(ion abbreviation)
- e.g. INa+
Ionic gradients confer distribution of charge across plasma membranes. This distribution of charge allows for:
- electrogenecity
- the ability to generate electrical current
Electrogenic tissues can create:
- action potentials via the use of anions and cations in the tissue
Major electrogenic tissues in the body:
- heart
- skeletal muscle
- neurons
- GI smooth muscle
- vascular smooth muscle
Distribution of charge across the membrane of a motor neuron in the resting state:
- Inside cell (cytoplasm)
- little sodium
- little calcium
- a lot potassium
- Outside cell (interstitium):
- a lot sodium
- a lot calcium
- little potassium
SODIUM AND CALCIUM WANT TO MOVE INTO CELL.
POTASSIUM WANTS TO MOVE OUT OF CELL.
Electromotive force is:
- the desire/potential for something to move
What is the electromotive force present across the membranes of motor neurons?
- Interstitium is more positive than the cytoplasm.
- Interstitium contains more sodium and calcium.
- Sodium and calcium want to move down their gradient into the cell.
At rest, there is passive flux of K+ and Na+ through the plasma membrane of motor neurons. How is the electrochemical gradient across motor neuron membranes maintained at rest?
- Na+/K+ ATP-dependent pump.
- Moves 3 Na+ out of cell and 2 K+ into cell.
State of a motor neuron at rest:
- Hyperpolarized (-80mV).
- Na+/K+ ATP-dependent pump active.
- Voltage-gated K+ channel inactive.
- Voltage-gated Na+ channel inactive.
Potential stimuli that can cause an action potential:
- electrical
- chemical
- mechanical
Process of motor neuron depolarization:
- Stimuli causes activation of some voltage-gated Na+ channels
- Slight influx of Na+.
- Threshold value reached, majority of voltage-gated Na+ channels open.
- Na+ rushes in and depolarizes cell.
Motor neuron depolarization is _______ dependent.
- Sodium dependent.
- Positive charge rushes into cell.
Motor neuron repolarization is _______ dependent.
- Potassium dependent.
- Positive charge rushes out of cell.
The two fail-safe mechanisms of voltage-gated ion channels:
- voltage-dependent (only open at certain voltages)
- time dependent (close after some time open)
The three phases of a motor neuron action potential:
- Depolarization (Na+ rushes in)
- Repolarization (K+ rushes out)
- Refraction (inactive; recovery stage)
Timing and types of refractory phases:
- Follows repolarization.
- absolute and relative
Absolute refraction:
- Na+ channels inactive.
- No stimulus will elicit a second action potential regardless of stimulus strength.
Relative refraction:
- some Na+ channels resting.
- second AP can be elicited if a stronger than normal stimulus is applied.
Steps in motor neuron action potential:
- Refraction period ends.
- Stimulus activates some voltage-gated Na+ channels.
- Threshold reached.
- Voltage-gated Na+ channels open; sodium rushes in.
- Depolarization (more positive).
- Voltage-gated Na+ channels close.
- Voltage-gated K+ channels open; potassium rushes out.
- Repolarization (more negative).
- Hyperpolarization/Refraction.