L7 Neuronal Conduction Flashcards

1
Q

The speed of action potential gradient propagation is determined by?

A

It’s determined by how fast the next segment of membrane gets depolarized to threshold.

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2
Q

How is an action potential like a moving wave?

A

An action potential isn’t simply one event at a single point; it’s a chain reaction.

When one part of an axon’s membrane depolarizes (becomes positively charged), it triggers the depolarization of the adjacent membrane section

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3
Q

Explain continuous action potential vs saltatory Conduction

A
  • Continuous - Happens in unmyelinated axons and slow
  • Saltatory conduction - Myelinated axons, contains gaps (nodes of Ranvier) so action potential “jumps” from one node to the next, much faster
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4
Q

What 4 things influence the speed of aciton potential propagation?

A
  • Myelination
  • Axon diameter
  • Space constant
  • Time constant
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5
Q

What is space constant?

A

It describes how far an electrical current spreads passively along the axon

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6
Q

How does membrane resistance (Rm) affect space constant?

A

Higher membrane resistance (fewer open ion channels) allows the signal to travel further. Myelin increases membrane resistance

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7
Q

What is membrane resistance (Rm)?

A

Its a measure of much the cell membrane resists the flow of electrical current.

It prevents ions from leaking out hence the resistance

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8
Q

What is internal resistance?

A

How hard it is for current to pass along the axon

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9
Q

What does a higher membrane resistance mean?

A

A higher membrane resistance means that ions are less likely to leak out, allowing the eletrical signal to travel further along the axon

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10
Q

What does a lower internal resistance mean?

A

A lower internal resistance means that ions can flow more easily along the axon, allowing the electrical signal to travel faster

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11
Q

What affects time constant?

A
  • Membrane resistance (Rm): How un-leaky the hose wall is
  • Membrane Capacitance (Cm): how stretchy the hose wall is
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12
Q

Why is it better to have a lower membrane capacitance (strechiness)?

A
  • If the rubber sheet is very stretchy, it takes a lot of force (charge) to change it shape. It stores a lot of the force instead of quickly changing.
  • If the rubber sheet is stiff ( less stretchy), it takes less force to change its shape. It responds quickly to applied force -
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13
Q

What is the relationship between membrane resistance and surface area?

A

Membrane resistance is inversely proportional to the axon’s circumference of the membrane (more area, more leaks)

Circumference = 2πr

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14
Q

What is the relationship between internal resistance and cross sectional area?

A

Internal resistance is inversely proportional to the area

Area = πr²

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15
Q

What is the time constant formula?

A

Time constant = RmCm (membrane resistance X capacitance)

Rm - membrane resistance - how un-leaky is the hose wall
Cm - membrane capacitance - how stretchy is the hose wall

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16
Q

Can a cell membrane be both a resistor and a capacitor?

A

Yes - A cell membrane is both a resistor (current can pass through but not very well) and a capacitor (charge can build up on one side)

17
Q

What happens if there’s loads of Oligodendrocytes/ Schwann cells wrapped around an axon?

A

This is like wrapping a wire with insulating tape. - it increases membrane resistance.

It also increases the distance between extra and cellular solution

18
Q

What is the formula for space constant?

A

λ = / (rm / ri)

rm - membrane resistance
ri - internal resistance

19
Q

What affects does Myelin have on membrane resistance and membrane capacitance?

A

Myelin increases membrane resistance and decreases membrane capacitance

20
Q

What would happen to space + time constant if myelin increased membrane resistance and decreases membrane capacitance?

A

Myelin increases the space constant while keeping the time constant the same

21
Q

What happens in the node of ranvier?

A

Current enters through Na+ channels at a node of ranvier. This depolarisation spreads along passively down the axon

22
Q

What happens when the current reaches another node of ranvier ?

A

At the next node of ranvier, depolarisation triggers voltage - gated Na+ channels to regenerate the action potential

23
Q

How can you increase the conduction speed without myelin?

A

Without myelin, you can only increase conduction speed by widening the axon following [λ ∝ √radius]

24
Q

To increase the conduction speed by 10x, how much do you need to increase the radius and axon volume by?

A

You need to increase the radius by 100x and the axon volume by 10,000x

  • speed ∝ √radius : 10= √100
  • volume ∝ radius² : 10,000 = (100)²
25
Q

What is a demyelinated neuron?

A

A demyelinated neuron is a nerve cell that has lost its myelin sheath

26
Q

What are the 5 biological effects of demyelinated conduction?

A
  • Decreased conduction velocity
  • Frequency- related block
  • Total conduction block
  • Ectopic impulse generation
  • Increase in mechanosensitivity
27
Q

Give an example showing myelinations saves space.

A

Example: the human optic nerve is 3 mm wide. Without myelin, to conduct at the same speed, it would have to be 300 mm wide (1 foot)!

28
Q

Name two disease caused by demyelinating.

A
  1. Multiple sclerosis
  2. Guillain - Barre syndrome
29
Q

Name some symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

A
  • auto-immune disorder, immune system attacks myelin
  • episodic: symptoms get worse, then better, then worse, etc.
  • diverse neurological symptoms, e.g., vision problems, numbness/tingling, muscle spasms/weakness.
  • symptoms might be worse when under stress or at high temperatures – neuronal conduction is “safer” at low temperatures, because Na+ channels inactivate more slowly.
30
Q

Name some symptoms of guillain barre syndrome.

A

auto-immune disorder affecting PNS myelin
symptoms: numbness, tingling, weakness
patients usually recover because PNS myelin can regenerate (unlike CNS myelin)