Muscles and Neurons Flashcards
Explain the structure of a nerve cell
a soma (cell body) and two types of processes: dendrites and usually a single axon.
Inputs from other neurons (synaptic inputs) are received on the
dendritic tree and the soma.
What is the difference between an action potential and a synaptic potential?
Synaptic potential goes towards the soma, while action potentials go away from the soma
In communication, what are the two types of signals?
Electrical signals Chemical signals
Where does electrical signalling happen?
dendrites, cell body, axon
Where does chemical signalling happen?
synapses
What is the membrane potential?
voltage across the cell membrane
What is the membrane potential range in mV for a cell?
between –100 and +50 mV
What is the resting membrane potential value?
Its value is usually between –50 and –70 mV (typically -65 mV).
True or false: Almost all cells in the body have a negative resting membrane potential.
True
Only x, y and some z can suddenly respond with a transient change of this potential (ie. with an action potential) in response to a stimulus – so they are excitable !
Only neurons, muscle fibres and some endocrine cells can suddenly respond with a transient change of this potential (ie. with an action potential) in response to a stimulus – so they are excitable !
How are the intracellular potentials measured today ?
The microelectrode recording technique and The patch-clamp technique (additional feature of being able to measure current)
What is the RMP definition?
Electrical potential difference (50 to 70 mV) across the cell membrane which results from separation of charge. There is more negative charges inside the cell in comparison to the extracellular fluid.
The RMP is due to what three factors?
a) Unequal concentrations of Na+ and K+ inside and outside the cell b) Unequal permeability of the cell membrane to these ions [c) Electrogenic action of the Na-K pump – only a small contribution !]
What is the Approximate concentrations of K+ and Na+ ions inside and outside neurons?
OUTSIDE [Na+] 150 mM [K+] 5 mM INSIDE [K+] 100 mM [Na+] 15 mM 
Explain Ca2+ ion’s affect on the RMP:
Ca2+ ions do not affect the RMP as the membrane is not permeable to these ions at rest
Explain Cl2- ion’s affect on the RMP:
Cl- ions also do not contribute to the RMP as their distribution is usually ’passive’ (i.e. in most neurones there are no active Cl- pumps).
How do large ions affect RMP?
There are many negatively charged proteins inside the cell. However, since the cell membrane is not permeable to these large ions, they do not affect the RMP !
State the Na/K pump ratio:
3 Na+ out 2 K+ in
How is unequal permeability of the cell membrane to different ions (including Na+ and K+) explained ?
Two main types of ion channels (ie. channels which have selective permeability to ions) in neurons: a) Non-gated (‘leak’) channels - open at rest b) Gated channels (voltage-gated, ligand-gated*, or mechanically-gated) -usuallyclosed at rest
In cell membrane of neurons, there are many leak __ channels, but very few leak___ channels.
In cell membrane of neurons, there are many leak K+ channels, but very few leak Na+ channels.
At rest: PK+ / PNa+ ≈ where p means membrane permeability
40 / 1
Explain The concept of the ‘Equilibrium potential’
An intracellular potential at which the net flow of ions is zero, in spite of a concentration gradient and permeability!
The equilibrium potential can be calculated for each ion by the ‘Nernst equation’ What is this equation?
Eion = 61.5 mV x log ([ion]o / [ion]i)
The Nernst equation applies only to a situation when…
…a cell membrane is permeable only to one ion ! (ie. has leak channels only for one specific ion).
Glia cells have leak channels only for
K+ ions
The higher the permeability of the cell membrane to a particular ion,
the greater the ability of this ion to shift the RMP towards its equilibrium potential.
What is an example of the rule that ‘The higher the permeability of the cell membrane to a particular ion, the greater the ability of this ion to shift the RMP towards its equilibrium potential’
At rest, in neurons the membrane permeability is much higher to K+ than to Na+; therefore the RMP is closer to the equilibrium potential for K+
Define the action potential:
The action potential is a very brief (lasting a few milliseconds in axons, longer in cell bodies) fluctuation in membrane potential caused by a transient opening of voltage-gated ion channels (mainly Na+ and K+) which spreads, like a wave, along parts of the neuron.
Explain hyperpolarization
If it becomes more negative (eg. changes from -70 to -75 mV) (the potential inside the cell moves closer to EK+ , and away from ENa+)
Explain depolarization
If it becomes less negative (eg. changes from -70 to -60 mV) (the potential inside the cell moves away from EK+ and closer to ENa+)
What are the three key stages of the action potential?
- Fast depolarisation to about +30mV (‘reversal of polarisation’, or ‘overshoot’) after the membrane potential reaches threshold; 2. Repolarisation; 3. After -hyperpolarisation (AHP).
Information is coded in the _____ of action potentials.
Information is coded in the frequency of action potentials.
Briefly explain Depolarisation to threshold
Occurs by a stimulus (physical or chemical) Voltage-gated Na+ channels start to open near threshold (PK>PNa)
Briefly explain Stage 1: Fast depolarisation
Voltage-gated Na+ channels open very fast PNa>>>PK fast depolarisation to ≈ +30mV
Briefly explain Stage 2: Repolarisation
Na+ channels inactivate and voltage-gated K+ channels open PK>>>PNa
Briefly explain Stage 3: After- hyperpolarisation
Voltage gated K+ channels remain open for a while and then close PK>>>PNa then PK>>PNa
What is the absolute refractory period?
Fast depolarisation and Repolarisation
What is the relative refractory period?
after-hyperpolarisation
What counts as a stimulus?
physical (eg. electric current, light) or chemical (a drug or synaptic excitation)
Explain the ionic processes occurring during depolarisation
When MP reaches the threshold, there is a sudden activation (opening) of voltage-gated Na+ channels ( PNa+↑ ) - At this moment PK+ / PNa+ → 1 : 20 (before was 40 : 1); therefore MP shifts towards the ENa+ (ie. towards +60 mV) - Opening of voltage-gated Na+ channels is only short lasting, as these channels quickly inactivate !
Explain the ionic processes occurring during repolarisation
- depolarisation is followed by a transient opening of voltage-gated K+ channels, leading to repolarisation and AfterHyperPolarization (MembranePotential shifts towards EK+) Inactivation of voltage-gated Na+ channels and activation of voltage-gated K+ channels (since PK+/PNa+ becomes ≈ 100 : 1)
Explain Unmyelinated axons:
small diameter; transmission of APs slow, continuous
Explain Myelinated axons:
larger diameter, transmission of APs fast, saltatory
Explain the passive spread of current: (3 steps)
- (Subthreshold) depolarisation at one region of the membrane (local) 2. Passive current flow (inside and outside the axon) (in a circular motion going from inside to outside, from outside to inside) 3. Depolarization of adjacent parts of membrane
How far does the passive spread of current spread from the initial point?
Approximately 1mm
Speed of AP transmission in unmyelinated axons:
1m/s
Why is speed of AP transmission in unmyelinated axons relatively slow?
‘Passive’ current flow between two adjacent points is fast, but AP must be regenerated at every point on the membrane. This takes time and therefore conduction velocity is slow.
Speed of AP transmission in myelinated axons:
20 to 100 m /sec
Myelin sheath formed in CNS:
by oligodendrocytes
Myelin sheath formed in PNS:
by Schwann cells
Myelination is discontinuous; interupted at
nodes of Ranvier
Myelination increases passive spread of current, how?
Due to the insulating properties of myelin, there is less current dissipation as it flows along the axon !
Passive conduction occurs in both directions – True or false
True
How does Myelination increases action potential conduction velocity? (i.e. explain ‘saltatory conduction’)
Myelination increases speed of AP conduction by increasing efficiency of passive spread. Thus, AP need not be regenerated at every part of cell membrane. APs are generated only at nodes of Ranvier (current flows passively between nodes).
Can AP’s travelling in opposite directions pass each other?
No they cannot as once an AP has passed a membrane it will be in the refractory period preventing further excitation. They will cancel each other – the process known as ‘collision’
AP transmitted from the cell body is in the what direction?
‘orthodromic’ direction
AP evoked by electrical stimulation of the axon, is transmitted in the what direction?
‘antidromic’ direction
How are APs generated in sensory neurons ?
First it evokes a graded depolarisation, known as ‘the receptor potential’. ● The receptor potential spreads passively to more distally located ‘trigger zone’ where APs are generated. ● APs then spread along the axon (myelinated or unmyelinated) towards the CNS.
How is Information about the strength of the stimulus coded in sensory neutrons?
the amplitude of the receptor potential and the frequency of APs.
How is a message transmitted from one excitable cell to another excitable cell?
a) Through chemical synapses - most often b) Through electrical synapses (eg. in the retina). Much less common !
Explain how synaptic transmission occurs from presynaptic membrane to post synaptic membrane:
presynaptic action potential reaches presynaptic knob there is an increased presynaptic Ca2+ permeability and thus a Ca2+ influx Then a release of a neurotransmitter by exocytosis occurs across the synaptic cleft to the post synaptic membrane then the neurotransmitters react with the post synaptic receptors which activates synaptic channels and causes a post synaptic action potential
What is an example of a neurotransmitter in a neuromuscular junction?
acetylcholine (ACh)
Endplate potential always triggers an action potential - t or f
true
What are the 2 main types of chemical synapses in the CNS?
Excitatory synapses and Inhibitory synapses
Explain Excitatory synapses
depolarisation of the postsynaptic membrane, called the Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential ( EPSP )
Explain Inhibitory synapses
hyperpolarisation of the postsynaptic membrane, called the Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential (IPSP )
What are the neurotransmitters of excitatory synapses?
mainly glutamic acid (glutamate) or ACh
What are the Ionic mechanism of EPSPs?
transient opening of channels selective for Na+, K+ and sometimes Ca2+
What are the neurotransmitters of inhibitory synapses?
mainly GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) or glycine
What are the Ionic mechanism of IPSPs?
transient opening of K+ or Cl- channels
What are the two groups of Classification of neurotransmitters?
Small molecule neurotransmitters (‘Classical’ neurotransmitters) Neuropeptides (‘Neuromodulators’)
Give examples of Small molecule neurotransmitters
- Amino acids: glutamate, GABA, glycine - Acetylcholine (ACh) - Amines: serotonin (5-HT), noradrenaline, dopamine - ATP (Adenosine triphosphate)
Are small or large molecule neurotransmitters faster?
small, as it acts directly on postsynaptic receptors, while large neurotransmitters have an indirect ( ‘metabotropic’) action on postsynaptic receptors, or modulatory action on the effects of other neurotransmitters
What are examples of neuropeptides?
Neuropeptide Y (NPY), Substance P, Kisspeptin, Endorphins
What are the Factors determining synaptic action?
A) Type of neurotransmitter / neuromodulator B) Type of neurotransmitter receptor expressed in the postsynaptic membrane C) The amount of neurotransmitter receptor expressed in the postsynaptic membrane – ’Synaptic plasticity: LTP or LTD’