Neurophysiology Flashcards
What is the order of the neurons response
Resting Membrane potential -> Graded potential -> Action Potential -> Information processing
How does the cell membrane separate charges?
The inter cellular fluid is negative relative to the extra cellular fluid. The membrane is also polarized.
How is voltage measured in the cell membrane
In mVoltz
What are the two key ions in the membrane?
Sodium(Na) and Potassium (K)
What charge is protein?
Negative charge, but are trapped from moving in or out
What are the two passive forces of the membrane
Chemical and electrical gradient
How does the chemical gradient move?
It moves from high to low concentrations with K’s being out and Na being in.
How does the electrical gradient move?
Cations (+) move towards anions(-) and vice versa.
What is the electrochemical gradient
The sum of the chemical and electrical forces for ions crossing the membrane.
What does the electrochemical gradient determine
The direction of the ion movement if a channel opens.
If the electrical gradient is in, chemical gradient is out, and the electrochemical gradient is in, which one is the greater force?
The one that agrees with the electrochemical gradient.
Is the membrane differentially permeable? If so, what is is more or less permeable to?
Yes it is, and it is more permeable to k than Na because it has more weak channels.
How does the membrane perform active transport?
Through the Na and K pumps. Uses ATP. Moves out 3 sodium ions and in 2 K ions
What is equilibrium potential?
It is the transmembrane potential at which no net movement of the a particular ion across a membrane.
If the membrane is at equilibrium, what does this indicate about chemical and electrical gradients
They are equal and opposite of each other.
What can we use equilibrium potential to predict?
The direction that ions will flow if a Channel is opened.
How do we change the membrane potential?
By opening and closing channels that are closed at rest.
What are the three types of channels?
Ligan-Gated, Voltage-Gated, and Mechanically regulated channels
How do you open a ligand gated channel?
A chemical, such as ACh, must bind to the protein, and as long as it is attached, the channel will be open.
How do you open a voltage-gated channel?
In response to a change in the membrane potential, the channel will open or close based on the measured voltage.
How is a mechanically regulated channel opened
A force distorts the shape of the channel and when said force js removed, the gate closes.
What does graded potential mean?
It’s a magnitude proportional to stimulus intensity.
If given a small stimulus…
…you get a small change in membrane potential
What type of changes do graded potential produce? Along with that, how for do they travel and is the travel detrimental?
Only local changes. The travel is short and yes it is decrement, or decrease in size as spread.
Depolarization vs. Hyper polarization
Na channels open, na influx and moves towards 0mv or positive.
K channels open, k efflux, and the membrane potential moves to be more negative.
Does the action potential give a rapid dramatic change?
Yes! It leads to a series of action potential (in waves)