Local Signaling: Passive Electrical Properties of the Neuron - Membrane and Axoplasmic Resistance Affect the Efficiency of Signal Conduction

4 important questions on Local Signaling: Passive Electrical Properties of the Neuron - Membrane and Axoplasmic Resistance Affect the Efficiency of Signal Conduction

Is the axoplasmatic resistance along a dendrite higher or lower in a small compared to a large diameter axon?

The resistance will be higher in the small axon as there is more chance for ions to collide with other molecules.

Why does the membrane resistance involved in the propagation of an action potential solely rely on the membrane resistance caused by the ion channels and length of the traject?

This is because, when there is flow of current for some time, the capacity of the capacitor has been reached and current is redirected through the resistor, which is the resistance of the ion channels and the resistance of the axon over a certain trajectory as it propagates.

Is the axial resistance in serie or parallel?

It stands for the resistance to flow of the cytoplasm per cm of cytoplasm, therefore it is placed in serie.
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Why is the space constant l important in electrotonic conductance?

It has influence on the summation of synaptic potentials over a certain length, which, when short displacement leads to an action potential easier.

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