Lecture 3 (Membrane potentials and AP) Flashcards
What are the basic parts of a neuron
Cell body, Dendrites, and axons
what is housed in the cell body of a neuron
The nucleus and other typical cell organells
Do cell body’s of neurons have voltage-gated ion channels
NO
the plasma membrane around the cell body is characterized by
Local potentials
What are dendrites
Dendrites are cellular extensions of the neuron
How many dendrites does a neuron have
ranges from few to many
How are dendrites characterized
presence of ligand (neurotransmitter)-gated ion channels
Do dendrites conduct local potentials
Yes
what is an axon
extension of the cell body of a neuron that is typically on the opposite side of the cell body from the dendrites
What is the axon covered in
plasma membrane (axolemma)
how is the axolemma characterized
by the presence of voltage-gated ion channels and the ability to conduct an AP
The distal end of the axon is characterized by
presence of membrane-bound vesicles filled with neurotransmitter molecules
What is the function of the plasmalemma
functions to maintain separate intracellular and extracellular environments
what is another name for the plasmalemma
The cell membrane
where are sodium and chloride ions more concentrated
Outside the cell
Where are potassium ions most concentrated
Inside the cell
what is a diffusion potential
caused by an ion concentration difference on either side of a membrane
What is Nernst potential
The diffusion potential level across a membrane that exactly opposes the net diffusion of a particular ion through the membrane
what is the electrical dipole layer
dichotomous distribution of ions on either side of the membrane represents a voltage change
When is a voltage change recorded
only when the recording electrode passes through an electrical dipole layer
what is the Nernst equation
E=2.3RT/FlogCout/Cin E- difference in the electrical potential between inside and outside the neuron R- Universal gas constant T- absolute temp F-Faradays constant
What is the Nernst equation used for
Measuring one type of ion at a time
- determines the diffusion potential across a membrane that exactly opposes the net diffusion of a particular ion through the membrane
what is used to measure the combined potential for more than one type of ion
Goldman equation may be used
What are the assumptions of the Nernst Equation
Equation can only be used for one ion at a time
- membrane must be completely permeable to that ion
- Ion must be at equilibrium
EMF equation
EMF=Eion= z(61.5) x log [(ion]outside/[ion]inside)
z- valence of ion
it is a simplified version of the Nernst equation
How does the sodium potassium pump work
secondary active transport
pumps 3 Na out and 2K+ in
what is the resting potential caused by potassium ion alone
-94mV
What is the resting potential caused by both potassium and sodium ions
-86mV
What is the resting potential caused by sodium, potassium, and Sodium potassium pump -
-90mV
What is the resting potential caused by Na alone
+61mV
Action potential characteristics
- all-or- none, it will either occur or not occur
- it is self-propagating: each region of depolarization serves to generate action potentials on either side
- it is non-decremental- it does not decrease in strength
Voltage-gated sodium channels have how many domains
4
How are the 4 domains of voltage-gated sodium channels arranged
in a cylindrical configuration