Lecture 3: Functional Property of Neurons

Question 1

To study the electrical properties of neurons they studied the squid giant axon and learned that the motor neuron is responsible for escape response, dissected neuron can survive in sea water for up to 2 days

Answer 1

Hodgkin and Huxley

Question 2

Neurons at rest have a resting membrane potential between (blank) and (blank) mV

Answer 2

-50 and -80 mV

Question 3

Work from Neher and Sakmann where they were able to record a single neuron from a single ion channel

Answer 3

Patch Clamp Recording

Question 4

Continually pushes Na+ ions out and pulls K+ ions in, requires a considerable amount of energy

Answer 4

Sodium Potassium Pump (Na+/K+ pump)

Question 5

When the interior of the neuron is more negative

Answer 5

Hyperpolarizing

Question 6

When the interior of the neuron becomes more positive

Answer 6

Depolarizing

Question 7

The more intense a stimulus is, the faster the neuron will fire, a strong stimulus will cause the neuron to fire much faster than a weak one

Answer 7

The Rate Law

Question 8

Neuron won’t fire no matter how strong the stimulus, arises because the Na+ channel won’t open again for a short while after being open

Answer 8

Absolute Refractory Period

Question 9

Stronger Stimulus than normal needed to make the neuron fire, corresponds to the period of hyperpolarization

Answer 9

Relative Refractory Period

Question 10

What stops an action potential from going in the wrong direction?

Answer 10

The refractory period