Neural Communication Flashcards
Describe how the electrical signals sent by the nervous system are mediated.
The electrical signals sent by the nervous system are mediated by the flow of charged atoms, or ions, across the neuron’s cell membrane.
What are membrane potentials?
Membrane potentials are another way of describing the electrical charge that a cell has in comparison to the electrical charge found just outside its membrane.
Define resting potential.
Resting potential is the state of a neuron when it is not sending a signal, functioning like the ‘off’ state of a light switch.
How are ions involved in neural communication?
Ions found in the nervous system move in a way that allows neurons to communicate with each other and with other parts of the body.
Describe the relationship between the binary code in a computer program and the encoding of information in the brain.
Both the binary code in a computer program and the encoding of information in the brain require at least two states to encode signals.
What are ion channels and how do they function in the neuronal membrane?
Ion channels are proteins that form specialized openings in the neuronal membrane, allowing ions to pass through and affecting the membrane potential.
Define membrane potential and explain how it can change in a neuron.
Membrane potential refers to the electrical charge difference across a neuron’s membrane. It can change as a result of signals from other neurons, which can make it more positive or more negative.
Describe the process of gating in ion channels.
Gating is the process by which ion channels are opened or closed due to changes in the local environment of the membrane.
What triggers voltage-gated ion channels to open and close?
Voltage-gated ion channels open and close in response to changes in the membrane potential.
What are the ions involved in neuron communication?
The ions involved in neuron communication are sodium (Na+), chlorine (Cl-), potassium (K+), and various negatively charged anions.
How does the resting potential of a neuron compare to the outside environment?
The inside of a neuron is more negatively charged than the outside in its resting state.
Explain action potential.
An action potential is a sudden rise and fall in the electric potential across the membrane of a neuron when the neuron is active and firing. Usually lasting on the order of a few milliseconds, it is caused by the rapid opening and closing of ion channels. This change in the permeability of the neuronal membrane allows ions to flow into and out of the cell, changing the membrane potential for a brief period of time. Action potentials are also referred to as spikes, nerve impulses, or APs.
Explain the first phase of action potential.
The rising phase. During the rising phase, the membrane potential becomes more and more positive due to an influx of positive ions. This is also called depolarization.
