IPHY 3430 Exam 2 [Nervous] Flashcards
(88 cards)
Nervous system
- communication system
-coordinates body function; electrical signals[graded potentials & action potentials]
chemical signals; neurocrines[neurohormone, neurotransmitter, neuromodulators]
organization of NS
- CNS
- PNS: sensory[afferent] & motor[efferent; somatic division & autonomic division(sympathetic and parasympathetic branch)]
- Enteric Nervous system(digestion)
Nervous system cells
neurons: basic signaling molecule
glial cells: provide support for neurons(many types of glial cells bu we focus on oligodendrocytes and schwann cells)
3 functional groups of neurons
afferent(sensory)
interneuron(there can be many or none)
Efferent (motor) neuron
Organization of a neuron
Dendrtite= input (receive incoming signals)
soma(cell body) = contains nucleus
trigger zone = “initial segement”; integration
axon = conduction(long distance); myelin and nodes of ranvier
Presynaptic (axon) terminal = output(talk to target cell)
Oligodendrocytes vs schwann cells
oligodendrocytes: form myelin in the CNS, wrap up to 15 axons
schwann cells: form myelin in PNS, wrap 1 axon
how are neurons connected? (labeled lines)
presynaptic cell: delivers signal at synapse
postsynaptic cell: receives signal at synapse
2 Electrical signals in neurons
Graded potential = local signals, purpose is to carry info from input region to trigger zone
Action potential = long distance signals, purpose is to carry info to presynaptic axon terminal
Integrative action
where there is both action and graded potentials
are electrical signals temporary changes in membrane potential?
yes, due to temporary (transient) changes in membrane permeability via gated ion channels.
- chemically-, mechanically- , voltage- gated.
Do electrical signals appreciably change ion concentrations ?
No, they do change separation of charge across the membrane(membrane potential)
Graded Potentials
- originate in input region due to opening of gated channels
- decrease in amplitude(lose “strength”, “decay”) as travel
excitatory vs inhibitory
*Graded potentials can be both
excitatory- depolarize cell & make it easier to produce action potential
inhibitory- hyperpolarize cell & make it harder to produce action potential
different names for graded potentials
receptor potential: input region of sensory neuron
synaptic potential (Excitatory postsynaptic potential[EPSP], inhibitory postsynaptic potential [IPSP]): input region of interneuron and motor neuron
End-plate potential: input region of skeletal muscle
graded potential strength and duration
graded potentials vary in amplitude & duration to convey information about stimulus amplitude & duration.
- amp: typically 0.1-10mV
- duration: typically 2-10 msec
Where are graded potentials summated?
Graded potentials travel to trigger zone (integrative
site) & summate.
- typical neuron receives ~1000-10,000 inputs
- decision: action potential
integration at trigger zone from graded potential
determines whether action potentials produced & information is passed along
- action potential threshold [subthreshold, suprathreshold]
- both action and graded potentials at trigger zone(transition from local to long distance)
Purpose of action potentials
carry info from trigger zone to synapse(presynaptic terminal)
- log distance; dont decrease in amplitude(strength as propagate, “regenerated”
all-or- none(summate)- decisions been made.
typically ~1ms,~100mV but can vary based on ion flow.
how to Action potentials convey info?
Frequency: codes for stimulus amplitude (intensity,strength)
Duration of spike train: codes for stimulus duration
How are action potentials produced
Gated ion channels; produced by sequential opening & closing of voltage -gated ion channels.
- you need to let it rest before you try and produce another action potential, can’t summate
Gated ion channels for action potentials
Hodgkin-Huxley channels:
H-H Na+: closed(resting), open, inactive(refractory)
- time dependant
H-H K+ : closed, open
Action potential threshold
Action produced when trigger zone is depolarized above threshold because of positive feedback, Na+ comes in and tries to depolarize into its equilibrium potential.
Similarities between Na+ and K+ channels
differences: time responds to stimulus, reason ion stops flowing, # gates- inactivation- time(~1 msec)
similarities: voltage dependant; depolarize (~15-20mV) -> open - repolarize -> closed
Termination of positive feedback cycle
Two processes to repolarize cell
1) inactivation of voltage - gated Na+ channels
2) opening of voltage- gated K+ channels