NEUROPHYSIOLOGY + NEUROSECRETION Flashcards
define neurophysiology
Study of neuronal function
what does a neuron consist of?
a cell body, from which extends highly branched nerve processes (dendrites) and a single axon.
what are dendrites covered by?
dendritic spine that form connections or synapses with the dendritic spines of other neighbouring neurons.
where do axons arise from and branch into?
arise from axon hillock
and will branch forming telodendria
what are telodendria terminated by?
by small swellings called presynaptic terminals/boutons.
what do presynaptic terminals contain?
many small vesicles which contain chemicals messengers, or neurotransmitters.
where are vesicles synthesised from?
synthesised in the nerve cell body and transported down the axon by a process of axonal transport
what is resting membrane potential?
Inside of a nerve cell has a -ve potential in relation to the +ve electrical potential of the extracellular fluid
how is the electrical gradient established?
Cells pump Na from their interior, into the extracellular fluid, exchanging Na for K. Hence, high extracellular conc of Na and high intracellular conc of K.
why does K move out the cell?
Memb impermeable to Na, and permeable to K.
So K will enter the cell following the electrical gradient, but will also move out of the cell along its own conc gradient
how does the cell become polarised?
When these 2 forces are balanced (Na + K), the cell reaches the resting memb potential, and the cell is described as being polarised.
what value is resting membrane potential?
maintained at about -70 to -90mV
how do Na channels open?
Na channels are normally closed, but can be opened by localised changes in the resting membrane potential (voltage-gated), or by neurotransmitter activation (ligand-gated).
what happens during an action potential?
Na channels open, Na enters the cell, depolarising it.
This is opposed by the Na/K exchange pump, and by the opening of voltage-gated K channels.
how does the membrane return to its resting state?
Na channels are only open for a short time so the memb potential is soon returned to the resting state.
how is an action potential conducted?
Axon is a poor conductor. The AP sets up small internal electric currents called the intrinsic/local currents.
how do action potentials keep getting initiated along the membrane?
local currents are not conducted far along the axon but they can be large enough to open downstream voltage-gated Na channels so initiating another AP
what is the refractory period?
once a voltage-gated Na channel has opened and closed, it goes though a period of inactivation. This inactivation/refractory period prevents the back flow of excitation.
how is conduction enhanced?
Conduction velocity in mammals is enhanced by myelination of axons.
what is the myelin sheath formed by?
schwann cells