The Neuron and the Action Potential

13 important questions on The Neuron and the Action Potential

What are chemically passed between neurons?

Electrical impulses

What do ion pumps and ion channels control?

They control the movement of ions into and out of the cell

Where are anions located in a neuron?

They are inside the cell - inside of cells are electrically more negative compared to the outside of the cell.
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What does the movement of the potassium ions when the neuron is at rest show?

That the electrical gradient and the concentration gradient cannot both be satisfied = equilibrium

What is the equilibrium potential of K+? What does this show?

-90mv
This shows that inside of the cell is still negative compared to the outside when K+ reaches equilibrium (at rest, a neuron has more positive ions outside the cell than inside the cell)

What does the sodium potassium pump cause? How?

At rest, the cell is negatively charged. The sodium potassium pump causes this imbalance by continually pumping, pushing out 3 positive sodium ions out of the cell, and pumping two positive potassium ions into the cell.

What does the imbalance caused by the Na/K pump allow in terms of currents and impulses?

It allows the flow of ions to create a current which causes a nerve impulse = ACTION POTENTIAL

Where are action potentials generated?

The axon hillock, if the net change is above the threshold, 50mv. (the action potential is then propagated down the axon to the presynaptic terminals)

What order does hyperpolization, depolarization and repolarization come in?

1. Resting
2. Depolarization
3. Repolarization
4. Hyperpolarization
5. Resting

What two effects can the neurotransmitter have?

Excitatory or inhibitory

What is the function of dendrites?

Collecting information from other cells.

How are glial cells different from neurons?

They can replace themselves

What are the five major types of Glial cells and their functions?

Ependymal cell - makes and secretes cerebrospinal fluid; found on the walls of the ventricles in the brain.

Astrocyte - star shaped; provides structural support to neurons in the central nervous system and transports substances between neurons and blood vessels.

Microglial cell - defensive function; along with schwann cells they play a part in repairing damage to the peripheral nervous system

Oligodendroglial cell - asymmetrical; forms myelin around CNS axons in the brain and spinal cord

Schwann cell - asymmetrical; wraps around peripheral nerves to form myelin

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