slide flashcards W2D1

Question 1

explain what a voltage clamp is and how it works

Answer 1

way to alter the voltage + inject voltage into an axon

clamp simultaneously measures the current needed to maintain the cell at a given voltage and current that is equal to the membrane current (ion current flowing in/out accross membrane)

Question 2

conductance definiton

Answer 2

the ability (or lack there of) for ions to flow (straw in a drink, no force)

Question 3

voltage definition

Answer 3

the force pushing the ions to want to flow one way or another (straw in drink w/suction)

Question 4

inward current (def)

Answer 4

ion flow from outside to inside (downward deflection)

Question 5

what is downward deflection

Answer 5

inward current/inward ion flow

Question 6

outward current (def)

Answer 6

ion flow from inside to outside (upward deflection)

Question 7

what is upward deflection

Answer 7

outward current/outward ion flow

Question 8

name 3 Na+ channel blockers (drugs/toxins)

Answer 8

saxitoxin (red algae), tetrodotoxin, lidocane

Question 9

name two K+ channel openers (drugs/toxins)

Answer 9

ether and cloroform

Question 10

name 3 Na+ channel openers (drugs/toxins)

Answer 10

scorpion toxin, sea anemone toxin, poison frog toxin

Question 11

name 2 drugs that prolong action potentials

Answer 11

TEA+ (tetraethylammonium) and 4-AP (4-aminopyridine)

Question 12

what is saltatory conduction

Answer 12

condution of an action potential on a myelinated axon

Question 13

max firing rate (ap per second) of neuron(s)

Answer 13

1000-1200 spikes per second