Item 5 Flashcards
(258 cards)
Action potentials occur in the membranes of _ tissue (whether nerve or muscle)
excitable
During an action potential, a large, rapid _polarization occurs in which the polarity of the membrane potential actually reverses; that is, the membrane potential becomes positive for a brief time
de-polarization
The initial membrane potential changes very quickly (in about 1 msec) from a resting level of approximately -70mV to __ mV
+30 mV
Once initiated, an action potential, unlike a graded potential is capable of being propagated long distances along the length of _ _ without any decrease in strength
an axon
The generation of an action potential is based on…and the Na+ and K+ electrochemical gradients that exist across the membrane
the selective permeability of the plasma membrane
At rest, the plasma membrane is _ times more permeable to potassium than to sodium ions because of the presence of more K+ leak channels to sodium channels
25 times
Changes in the permeability of the plasma membrane in excitable cells resulting from the opening and closing of _ _ _ can produce action potentials
gated ion channels
An action potential in a neuron consistws of 3 distinct phases:
1. rapid depolarization
2. repolarization
3. _
after-hyperpolarization
depolarization leads to a mV reading of _ due to influx of sodium ions into the cell
+30 mV (note it is yet not the equivalent of the sodium equilibrium potential of +60 mV)
The repolarization of the membrane potential brings the membrane potential down to _ mV due to a reduction in sodium permeability, and increase of potassium permeability, with potassium moving DOWN its electrochemical gradient out of the cell, repolarizing the membrane potential to bring it back to resting levels
-70 mV
Potassium permeability at after-hyperpolarization remains elevated for a brief time (_ - _ msec) after the membrane potential reaches the resting membrane potential, resulting in an after-hyperpolarization
5 - 15 msec
During after-hyperpolarization, the membrane potential is even more _ than at rest as it approaches the potassium equilibrium potential
negative (close to -94 mV)
Voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels are mostly found in the plasma membrane of the __ and axon, as well as of some muscle cells
axon hillock
In _ axons, voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels are at a greater concentration at the nodes of Ranvier; in _ axons, these channels are evenly distributed along the entire axon
myelinated;
unmyelinated
Are the exact mechanisms of gating in the voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels known?
no, that’s why models are used
In/activation gates are responsible for the opening of sodium channels during the depolarization phase of an action potential
Activation
In/activation gates are responsible for the close of sodium channels during the repolarization phase of an action potential
Inactivation
For a sodium channel to be open, the activation gate has to be _, and the inactivation gate has to be _
both open!
A sodium channel can exist in _ conformations
3
The first confirmation for the sodium channel is closed…
but capable of opening
The first confirmation for the sodium channel is closed but capable of opening. At rest, the _ gate is open, but the _ gate is closed. In this state, the channel is closed, but it can be opened by a depolarizing stimulus that causes the activation gate to open.
the inactivation gate is open but the activation gate is closed, meaning the channel is closed but capable of opening
The activation gate is on the _ of the cell, whereas the inactivation gate is on the _ of the cell
exterior;
Interior
On depolarization, the _ gate opens and with both gates in their open position, the channel is open and sodium ions move through the channel into the cell
activation gate opens (inactivation gate is already open) - part of depolarization of an action potential
The 3rd sodium channel conformation is _ and in/capable of opening
closed and incapable of opening