Electrical Signals of Nerve Cells - Long-distance transmission of electrical signals

5 important questions on Electrical Signals of Nerve Cells - Long-distance transmission of electrical signals

What do we see in the membrane potential of the axon when the current pulse is below the threshold for generating an action potential?

The magnitude of the resulting potential change will decay with increasing distance from the site of current injection.

Why does the progressive decrease in the amplitude of the induced potential change occurs?

The injected current leaks out across the axonal membrane (diffusion). Accordingly, farther along the axon less current is available to change the membrane potential.

What does the leakiness of the axonal membrane prevents?

The effective passive conduction of the electrical signals along the length of all but the shortest axons.
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What do we see in the membrane potential of the axon when the current pulse is large enough to produce an action potential?

An action potential of constant amplitude is observed along the entire length of the axon. Active conduction is a very effective way to circumvent the inherent leakiness of neurons.

By what are all types of neuronal electrical signals produced?

By similar mechanisms that rely on the movement of ions across the neuronal membrane.

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