Action potential
The stimuli that can change the resting membrane potential of a cell include changes in ion concentrations inside or outside the cell, neurotransmitter binding to receptors, and mechanical deformation of the cell membrane. These changes can lead to the opening or closing of ion channels, altering the flow of ions across the membrane and affecting the cell's resting membrane potential.
NA plus channels open in response to a change in the membrane potential, causing the channel to undergo conformational changes that lead to its opening. This change in membrane potential can be initiated by various stimuli, such as neurotransmitter binding or depolarization of the cell.
exhibit a resting potential that is more negative than the "threshold" potential.
Muscle cells generate potential difference through the movement of charged ions across their membrane. This is achieved by opening and closing ion channels in response to stimuli, such as nerve signals or changes in membrane potential. The movement of ions, such as sodium and potassium, creates an imbalance in charge that results in a potential difference across the cell membrane, which is essential for muscle contraction.
For a membrane to respond to another stimulus, it must first return to its resting potential after the previous stimulus has been processed. This involves the repolarization of the membrane, where ion channels reset and the concentration gradients of ions (like sodium and potassium) are restored. Additionally, the refractory period must elapse, during which the membrane is less excitable and cannot respond to new stimuli. Once these conditions are met, the membrane can be ready to respond to subsequent stimuli.
The stimuli that can change the resting membrane potential of a cell include changes in ion concentrations inside or outside the cell, neurotransmitter binding to receptors, and mechanical deformation of the cell membrane. These changes can lead to the opening or closing of ion channels, altering the flow of ions across the membrane and affecting the cell's resting membrane potential.
exhibit a resting potential that is more negative than the "threshold" potential.
NA plus channels open in response to a change in the membrane potential, causing the channel to undergo conformational changes that lead to its opening. This change in membrane potential can be initiated by various stimuli, such as neurotransmitter binding or depolarization of the cell.
This resting membrane potential is typically around -70mV in neurons, maintained by the unequal distribution of ions across the membrane. Sodium-potassium pumps actively transport ions to establish this potential difference. It is crucial for processes like signal propagation and cellular function in excitable cells.
Muscle cells generate potential difference through the movement of charged ions across their membrane. This is achieved by opening and closing ion channels in response to stimuli, such as nerve signals or changes in membrane potential. The movement of ions, such as sodium and potassium, creates an imbalance in charge that results in a potential difference across the cell membrane, which is essential for muscle contraction.
For a membrane to respond to another stimulus, it must first return to its resting potential after the previous stimulus has been processed. This involves the repolarization of the membrane, where ion channels reset and the concentration gradients of ions (like sodium and potassium) are restored. Additionally, the refractory period must elapse, during which the membrane is less excitable and cannot respond to new stimuli. Once these conditions are met, the membrane can be ready to respond to subsequent stimuli.
Electrical , heat and chemical stimuli
Dendrites receive stimuli from other neurons. Charge is carried by ions. The direction of the charge flows in is determined by the electrochemical potential difference across the membrane and the properties of membrane ion channels.
Chemical stimuli are transduced into electrical impulses through the process of neurotransmission in neurons. When a chemical signal, such as a neurotransmitter, binds to receptors on the neuron's membrane, it causes ion channels to open, leading to the influx or efflux of ions like sodium or potassium. This change in ion concentration alters the membrane potential, generating a depolarization that can trigger an action potential if it reaches a certain threshold. The action potential then propagates along the neuron, transmitting the electrical signal.
Graded potentials are small changes in membrane potential that can be either depolarizing or hyperpolarizing, and they occur in response to stimuli. They are localized and can vary in strength. Action potentials, on the other hand, are large, all-or-nothing changes in membrane potential that are triggered when a threshold is reached. They are propagated along the axon and are essential for long-distance communication in neurons.
The refractory period for a membrane is the time it takes for the membrane to reset and be able to respond to another stimulus. During this period, the membrane is temporarily unable to respond to additional stimuli. This impacts the ability of the membrane to rapidly and continuously transmit signals, as it needs time to recover before it can respond again.
Membrane irritability refers to the ability of a cell membrane to respond to stimuli by generating an action potential, while membrane conductivity refers to the ease with which ions can pass through the cell membrane. Irritability is more related to the excitability of the membrane, while conductivity is related to the flow of ions across the membrane.