excess of positive charges outside and negative charges inside the membrane; gives rise to an electrical potential difference which ranges from about 60 - 70 mV
resting membrane potential
type of channel that opens when the membrane potential changes beyond a treshold value
voltage-gated ion channel
opens when bound by a specific agonist, initiates depolarization or hyperpolarization of the plasma membrane
ligand gated
RMP of nerve cells
-70mV
RMP of muscle cells
-90mV
chemical gradient = electrical potential gradient. potential level across the membrane that exactly opposes net diffusion. allows theoretical membrane potential toe calculated for particular ion
Nernst Equation
membrane potential results from all the ions that can cross the membrane
goldman-hodgkin-katz equation
stimulate ion channels sensitive to either voltage or pressure but does not produce an action potential
subtreshold stimulus
can be summated algebraically
subtreshold stimulus
not propagated along the nerve
subthreshold stimulus
potentials that decrease in strength as they spread out from the point
graded potentials
are graded, can increase, temporary, not propagated and cannot reach threshold
local potential
membrane becomes permeable to sodium ions overshoots beyond zero and becomes somewhat positive
depolarization
sodium ion channels close; potassium open more
repolarization
membrane potential becomes more negative than the original resting membrane potential
afterpolarization
travel away from the stimulus; all-or-nothing principle
action potentials
slow channels and responsible for the plataeu portion of action potential
voltage activated calcium-sodium channel
fast channels that is responsible for the spike portion of action potential
voltage activated sodium channels
excessive flow of potassium; carries tremendous numbers of (+) charges to the outside creating more(-) inside
hyperpolarization
jump of action potential from node to node; increased velocity of nerve transmission
saltatory conduction
process of eliciting action potential
excitation
stimulus does disturb the membrane potential locally for as long as 1 ms but not sufficient to activate the automatic regenerative processes of the AP
acute subtreshold potential
local potential changes
acute local potential
after an action potential; new stimulus can't be elicited because sodium channels are inactivated
refractory period
period in which 2nd AP cannot be elicited even with a strong stimulus
absolute refractory period
stronger than normal stimuli can excite the fiber because potassium channels are open; sodium channels still have not been reversed from inactivation state