Unit 1 Flashcards
Action Potential
Transient depolarization triggered by a depolarization beyond threshold
Simple Diffusion
Movement from one location to another as a result of random thermal motion
-passive
Driving force
Determined by electrochemical gradient acting on the solute between two compartments
Electrochemical potential energy difference
Contribution from concentration gradient and from any difference in voltage that exists between two compartments
Equilibrium
No net driving force for X
Facilitated diffusion
Proteins enable ions to cross membranes by moving them downhill
-passive
Pores
Channels that are always open
-leak channels
Channels
Can be opened/closed by the action of specific mechanisms
-gated
Carriers
Conformational change needed to open gate
-“steps”
Active transport
Proteins enable ions to cross membranes by moving them across as energy-dependent fashion
Secondary active transport
Movement of solute using the gradient created by a pump
Cotransporters (symporters)
Use existing gradient to move an ion across the membrane down the gradient
-both in same direction
Exchangers (antiporters)
Use an existing gradient to move one ion to the side of membrane of lower concentration in exchange for another ion that is moving to opposite side of membrane where it is present in higher concentration
Membrane potential
Separation of positive and negative charges across the cell membrane
- depolarization = more positive
- hyperpolarization = more negative
Nernst Equation
Equilibrium potential for any ion
Ionic gradient
Net diffusion of ions towards compartment of lower concentration
Steady state condition
Neither Na or K is in equilibrium but the net flux of charge is null
Resting potential
Determined by the relative proportion of different types of ion channels that are open together with the value of their equilibrium potentials
Goldman equation
Shows that the resting membrane potential of a cell could be changed by either changing the gradient for a given ion (change Nernst potential) or by changing the relative permeability for an ion
Cations
Positive charge
Anion
Negative charge
Current (I)
Net flow of charge from one point to the other
-amperes (A)
Resistance (R)
Resistance to movement of current
-Ohms
Capacitance
Ability of a system to store an electric charge