Membrane potentials and action potentials Flashcards

1
Q

What is an ion flux?

A

Number of molecules that cross a unit area per unit of time

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2
Q

What are the properties of ions?

A

Charged molecules
Opposite charges attract
Like charges repel

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3
Q

Define voltage

A

Voltage = p.d.

Generated by ions to produce a charge gradient

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4
Q

Define current

A

Movement of ions due to a p.d.

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5
Q

Define resistance

A

Barrier that prevents the movement of ions

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6
Q

How do you measure membrane potential?

A

Reference electrode is placed outside cels (zero-volt level)

Another electrode is placed inside cell, measure a voltage difference that is negative compare with the outside

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7
Q

How do ions cross the cell membrane?

A

Through selectively permeable pores called ion channels in, which open and close in response transmembrane voltage, presence of activating ligands or mechanical forces

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8
Q

What is an electrochemical equilibrium?

A

Electrical gradient is balancing the concentration gradients. Stable transmembrane potential is achieved

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9
Q

Define equilibrium potential

A

potential at which electrochemical equilibrium has been reached. The potential that prevents diffusion of the ion down its concentration gradient

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10
Q

What equation can be used to calculate the equilibrium potential?

A

Nernst Equation

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11
Q

What are the most important ions for the resting potential for neurones?

A

Na+ and K+

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12
Q

Why does the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz (GHK) equation describe membrane potential more accurately?

A

Because it takes into account the permeability of the membrane to the particular ions

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13
Q

Define depolarisation

A

Membrane potential becomes more positive towards zero

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14
Q

Define repolarisation

A

Membrane potential decreases towards resting potential

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15
Q

Define overshoot

A

Membrane potential becomes positive

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16
Q

Define hyperpolarisation

A

Membrane potential decreases beyond resting potential

17
Q

What can cause a change in membrane potential?

A

External stimulation or neurotransmitters

18
Q

How is change in membrane potential graded?

A

Type or strength of stimulation; i.e. weak or strong

19
Q

What happens to graded potentials after they’ve moved a short distance (i.e 1mm)

A

Decay over the length

20
Q

Why do graded potentials decay down the length of the axon?

A

Charge leaks from the axon and the size of the potential change decreases along the axon

21
Q

What happens when a graded potential reaches a threshold for the activating of Na+ channels?

A

Action potential is generated

22
Q

What are the 5 phases of an action potential?

A
  1. RMP
  2. Depolarising stimulus
  3. Upstroke
  4. Repolarisation
  5. After-hyperpolarisation
23
Q

What is the Nernst Equation?

A

E = (RT/zF).ln.(X2/X1)

E = Eqm potential 
R = gas constant
T = Temperature in Kelvin
z = charge on ion (-1 for Cl-, +2 for Ca2+)
F = Faraday’s number - charge per mol of ion
ln = natural logarithm (log to base e)
X2 = intracellular ion concentration
X1 = extracellular ion concentration
24
Q

What can the Nernst Equation be simplified to?

A

E = (-61/z).log (Xinside/Xoutside) (mV)

25
What are the typical concentrations of K+?
150 mM inside and 5 mM outside
26
What are the typical concentrations of Na+?
10 mM inside and 150 mM outside
27
Why does the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation describe membrane potential (Em) more accurately than the Nernst equation?
In reality biological membranes are not uniquely selective for an ion. Membranes have mixed and variable permeability to all ions (but, for neurones at rest K+ >> Na+). GHK takes into account permeability.
28
What produces the initial change in membrane potential that determines what happens next i.e. initiate or prevent AP?
Graded potentials
29
In what type of cells do APs occurs?
Neurones and muscle cells but also some endocrine tissues.
30
What are APs also known as in neurones?
Nerve impulses and allow the transmission of information reliably and quickly over long distances
31
What does permeability of a membrane depend on?
Conformational state of ion channels Opened by membrane depolarisation Inactivated by sustained depolarisation Closed by membrane hyperpolarisation/repolarisation
32
Outline phase 3 - upstroke of an AP.
Starts at threshold potential ^Na+ because VGSCs open quickly [Na+ enters the cell down electrochemical gradient] ^PK as the VGKCs start to open slowly [K+ leaves the cell down electrochemical gradient]. Less than Na+ entering. Membrane potential moves toward the Na+ equilibrium potential
33
Outline phase 4 - repolarisation of an AP.
^Na+ because the VGSCs close - Na+ entry stops ^K+ as more VGKCs open & remain open. K+ leaves the cell down its electrochemical gradient. Membrane potential moves toward the K+ equilibrium potential.
34
What happens after hyperpolarisation?
At rest voltage-gated K+ channels are still open. K+ continues to leave the cell down the electrochemical gradient. Membrane potential moves closer to the K+ equilibrium - some voltage-gated K+ channels then close. Membrane potential returns to the resting potential