Lecture 3 - Intro to Neurophysiology Flashcards
How many molecules (phospholipids) thick is the cell membrane?
2
Where are the hydrophobic tails?
On the inside of the bilayer
Where are the polar head groups
On the outside of the bilayer
How do molecules cross the Cell Membrane?
By simple diffusion - no consumption of ATP
What happens during simple diffusion of small uncharged molecules?
Small uncharged molecules (relatively lipid soluble) can diffuse through the lipid bilayer (steroid hormones)
What happens during simple diffusion of small charged molecules?
Ions can diffuse through water filled pores
What are the two types of Ion Channels?
1.) “Leaky”, ions can flow in or out as needed
2.) Voltage Gated - can only be opened or closed by gates
What is Active Transport?
Needs metabolic energy (usually ATP) to move molecules into and out of cell
What does the Na+/K+ ATPase do?
Move Na+ out of cell and K+ into the cell
What type of transport is ATP synthase?
Primary active transport
What is primary active transport?
Uses ATP directly
What do cell membranes act as?
Barriers to chemical movement
What do Integral Membrane proteins act as?
Transporters
What is Active Transport of Na+/K+ important for?
Establishing the electrochemical gradient
What are Ion channels especially important for?
They help produce electrical impulses that transmit information rapidly
What do all cells in the body have?
A potential difference - or voltage - across the membrane. This is called resting membrane potential
What is the charge of the inside of the cell compared ti the outside?
The inside of the side is negative
What is the charge of a neuron at rest?
-70 mV
What are voltage gated ion channels important for?
Electrical activity in axons because when the channels open, they can change the membrane potential of the cell
Where is Na+ at the start of action potentials?
Outside of the cell (pos)
Where is K+ at the start of action potentials?
Inside of the cell (neg.)
What is an Action Potential?
Signals that o along the nerves, taking the signal from one place to another place
How do Neurons propagate signals?
In the form of action potentials
What causes Action Potentials to be momentary discharges (depolarizations) of the resting membrane potential?
The rapid influx of Na+ caused by the opening of sodium ion channels