Revision Flashcards
Resting Potential
Na+ cannot enter, or is actively pumped out of, the
neuron; the cell is negatively charged
Depolarisation
Na+ enters dendrites and cell body, making the cell less
negatively charged
Graded potential
Change in cell voltage is passed down dendrites and cell
body
action potential
If the change in axon voltage surpasses a threshold, the
axon suddenly lets in a surge of Na+
neurotransmitter release
The action potential causes terminal buttons to release
neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft
chemical message released
Depending on the facilitating or inhibitory nature of the
neurotransmitter released, the voltage of the cell membrane
receiving the message becomes depolarised or
hyperpolarised, and the process repeats