Module 5 – Communication, Homeostasis & Energy Flashcards
(316 cards)
C13) what is the definition of homoeostasis
The function of organs must be coordinated in order to maintain a relatively constant internal environment
C13) what is cell signalling
Communication at a cellular level where one cell releases a chemical which has an affect on another cell called a target cell
C13) What is the structure of a neurone
Cell body- contains the nucleus surrounded by cytoplasm. The cytoplasm contains large amounts of endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria involved in the production of neurotransmitters, the chemicals used to pass signals from one Neurone onto the next
Dendrons- are short extensions which come from the cell body. Extensions divide into smaller and smaller branches known as dendrites responsible for transmitting electrical impulses towards cell body
Axons- singular, elongated nerve fibres that transmit impulses away from the cell body. These fibres can be very long, cylindrical in shape consisting of very narrow regions of cytoplasm
C13) What is an myelinated neurones
The axons of some neurons are covered in a myelin sheath, made of many layers of plasma membrane.
Special cells called schwann cells produce the layers of membrane by Growing around the axon.
each time they grow around of the axon a double layer of phospholipid bilayer is laid down
When the cells stop growing there may be more than 20 layers of membrane
Between myelin sheath there is a gap called the node of ranvier
C13) What is the importance of myelin sheath
Act as an insulating layer and allows these neurons to conduct the electrical impulses at a much faster speed
As the myelin sheath is an insulator the electrical impulse jumps from one node of ranvier to the next as it travels along the neuron allowing for faster transmission of current
In non-myelinated Neurons the impulse does not jump but transmits continuously along the neuron fibre so is much slower
C13)What are the features of a sensory receptor
Specific to a single type of stimulus
They act as a transducer – convert a stimulus into a neuron impulse
C13) How does a sensory receptor become a transducer
They detect a range of different stimulus. The receptor converts the stimulus into a nervous impulse called a generator potential
C13) what is the purpose of cell signalling
Transfer signals locally. For example between neurons and synapses using neurotransmitters
Transfer signals across long distances using hormones. For example the pictureIt tree gland secretes ADH to act on the kidneys to maintain water balance
C13) how does the pacinian corpuscle work
A specific sensory receptors that detect mechanical pressure located in your skin, fingers and the soles of your feet
The end of the sensory neuron is found within the centre of the corpuscle founded by connective tissue each layer of tissue is separated by layers of gel
The membrane of the neuron has sodium ion channels responsible for transporting sodium ions across the membrane but this sodium ion channel is special because it is stretch mediated
C13) how does a pacinian corpuscle convert mechanical pressure into a nerve impulse
In its normal state the stretch mediated sodium ion channels in the sensory neurones membrane are too narrow to allow sodium ions to pass. It has a resting potential
When pressure is applied to the corpuscle it changes shape causing the membrane surrounding it’s neutrons to stretch
When the membrane stretches the sodium ion channels present widen allowing sodium ions to diffuse into the neuron
The influx of positive sodium ions changes the potential of the membrane it becomes depolarised resulting in a generator potential
The generator potential creates an action potential that passes along the sensory neuron. Action potential will be transmitted along neurons to the central nervous system
C13) what is resting potential
When in your own is not transmitting and impose the potential difference across the membrane is known as a resting potential.
The outside of the membrane is more positively charged than the inside of the axon.
The membrane is said to be polarised as there is a potential difference across it
Normally about -70 mV
C13) how is the resting potential created
Sodium ions (Na+) are actively transported out of the axon but the potassium ions (K+) are actively transported into the axon by a the sodium-potassium pump
For every 3 sodium ions pumped out, 2 potassium ions are pumped in therefore there are more sodium ions outside the membrane than inside the axon cytoplasm and also more potassium ions in the cytoplasm than outside the axon
So sodium ions diffused back into the axon down its electrochemical gradient whereas potassium ions diffused out of the axon but the gated sodium ion channels are closed preventing the movement of sodium ions but the potassium ion channels are open allowing potassium ions to defuse out of the axon as a result more positively charged ions are outside the axon than inside.
The inside is negative relative to the outside
C13) What is depolarisation of the axon membrane
The energy of the stimulus temporarily reverses the charge on the axon membrane
The potential difference across the membrane rapidly changes and becomes positively charged at approximately 40mV.
A change in potential difference from negative to positive
C13) What is the repolarisation of the axon membrane
After depolarisation, the membrane repolarisation occurs
A change in potential difference from positive back to negative returning to arresting potential
C13) What is the sequence of events that takes place during an action potential
1) The nerve has a resting potential-not transmitting an impulse. Potassium ion channels are open but sodium voltage gated ion channels are closed
2) The stimulus triggers some sodium voltage gated ion channels to open making the membrane more permeable to sodium ions, diffusing into the axon down the electrochemical gradient making the inside of the neuron less negative
3) The change in charge causes more sodium ion channels to open allowing more sodium ions to diffuse into the axon-positive feedback
4) When the potential difference reaches 40mV the voltage gated sodium ion channels close and voltage gated potassium ion channels open. Sodium ions no longer into the axon but the membrane is now permeable to potassium ions
5) Potassium ions diffused out of the Exon down there electro chemical gradient reducing the charge resulting in the inside of the axon becoming more negative than the outside
6) Initially loads of potassium ions diffused out of the axon resulting in the inside of the axon becoming more negative than its normal resting potential- hyper polarisation. Voltage gated potassium channels close. The sodium potassium pump causes sodium ions to move out of the cell and potassium ions to move in the axon returns to its resting potential and is polarised
C13) How is an action potential propagated along the axon to the end of a myelinated nerve
Initial stimulus causes an action potential in the sensory receptor.
So the first region of the axon membrane is depolarised acting as a stimulus for the depolarisation of the next region of the membrane through the use of localised electrical circuit
Process continues along the length of the axon forming a wave of depolarisation
Once sodium ions are inside the axon they are attracted by the negative change ahead and the concentration gradient to defuse further along inside the axon triggers the depolarisation of the next section
The region of the membrane which has been depolarised as the action potential passes along undergo Repolarisation to return to its resting potential
C13) How does a propagation of action potential occur in a non-myelinated nerve
A stimulus causes a sudden influx of sodium ion and reverses the charge on the axon membrane causing an action potential and the membrane to depolarised
The localised Electrical circuit established by the influx of sodium ions cause the opening of sodium voltage gated channels a little further along the axon causing depolarisation. Behind the new region of depolarisation the sodium voltage gated channels close and potassium ones open. Potassium ions leave the axon along the electrochemical gradient
Continues along the length of the axon, Repolarisation occurs behind action potential
The axon as a result of repolarisation returns to normality
C13) What is the refectory period of a neuron
After an Action potential there is a short time when the axon cannot be excited again
During this time The voltage gated sodium ion channels remain closed and prevent the movement of sodium ions into the axon
C13) what is the importance of refractory period of a neuron
Because it prevents the propagation of an action potential backwards along the axon as well as forwards
Make sure action potentials are unidirectional
Insures that action potentials do not overlap and occur as a discrete impulse
C13) how does saltatory conduction work
Myelinated axons transfer impulses faster than non-myelinated axons because depolarisation of the axon membrane can only happen at the node of Ranvier
this is the only place sodium ions can pass through the protein channels into the membrane
Larger localised circuits arise between adjacent roads allowing action potential then to jump from one load to another this called saltatory conduction
C13) How does saltatory conduction increase the speed of an electrical impulse
Every time channels open and ions move it takes time so reducing the number of cases this happens speeds up the process
Long term it is more energy-efficient Repolarisation uses ATP in the sodium pump so reducing the amount of repolarisation needed makes the conduction of impulses more efficient
C13) What factors affect the speed at which an action potential travels
Axon diameter – the bigger the axon diameter the faster the impulse transmits because there is less resistance to the flow of ions in the cytoplasm
Temperature-the higher the temperature the faster the nerve impulse because Ions always diffuse faster at high temperatures because up to about 40°C
C13) what is the all or nothing principal of the transmission of an electrical impulse in a neuron
A certain level of stimulus (threshold value) always triggers a response.
If this threshold is reached an action potential is created no matter how large the stimulus is the same sized action potential is triggered. If the threshold is not reached there is no action potential
The size of the stimulus affects the number of action potential is generated in a given time. Large the stimulus the more frequent the action potentials are.
C13) What are the structural components of a synapse
Synaptic cleft- the gap which separates the axon of one neuron from the dendrite of the next neurone
Presynaptic Neurone- Neurone along which the impulse has arrived
Postsynaptic Neurone- Neuron that receives the neurotransmitter
Synaptic knob- The end of the presynaptic Neuron containing mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum to manufacture neurotransmitters
Synaptic vesicles- vehicles containing neurotransmitters. They fuse with the presynaptic membrane and release their contents into the synaptic cleft
Neurotransmitter receptors- receptor molecules which the neurotransmitter binds to in the postsynaptic membrane