Electrical SIgnalling Flashcards
(10 cards)
Core property for all neurons
A difference in electrical charge across the cell membrane
Which is more negative: the inside or the outside of the neuron
The inside
Normal RMP
between -60mV to -90mV
Polarization
The RMP becomes more negative
Why is electrical signalling used?
To carry information along a neuron
Which ions are responsible for the RMP
Sodium and Potassium
How is the RMP maintained?
Through the movement of sodium and potassium ions across the cell membrane
How can neurons speed up information flow?
Myelin sheath
Larger diameter
What is an action potential
A series of changes that occur in the RMP when the neuron recieves an input
the RMP goes from -70mV to +30MV to -90mV to -70mV again
Why is information flow considered ‘slow’ for a neuron
Action potentials are generated at every adjacent point along a neuron
