The aciton potential (cells of NS) Flashcards
1
Q
What is the action potential?
A
- Transient change in membrane potential capable of nondecremental self propagation along an axon of the neurone
- Allows neurones to communicate w other neurones
2
Q
What are the properties of an action potential?
A
- Robust
- Rapid
- Orthodromic
- All or nothing
- Frequency encoded
3
Q
What can you use to measure an AP?
A
Extracellular electrophysiology
Erlanger & Gasser, 1920s used this
4
Q
What is compound action potential (CAP)?
A
Population response, sum of APs from all the axons simultaneously contributing to the signal
5
Q
What did Hodgkin and Huxley (1939) use to study APs?
A
Intracellular electrophysiology
(Inserted an electrode into the axoplasm)
6
Q
What are the 6 parts elements of an AP happening?
A
- Resting
- Depolarisation
- (Overshoot)
- Peak
- Repolarisation
- After hyperpolarisation
7
Q
What is overshoot?
A
How far the membrane potential goes past the threshold