Unit 2 Week 8 Tuesday - Action potential & RMP Notes (2)

Neuron

Cells that communicate and transmit signals in the nervous system.

Action Potential

A rapid movement of ions in and out of the cell that results in a change in membrane potential.

Membrane Potential

The voltage difference across a cell's membrane.

Peripheral Nervous System

The part of the nervous system that consists of the nerves and ganglia outside of the brain and spinal cord.

Central Nervous System

The part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Diffusion

The net movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Facilitated Diffusion

The process of passive transport of molecules across a biological membrane via specific transmembrane integral proteins.

Active Transport

The movement of ions or molecules across a cell membrane from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration, assisted by enzymes and requiring energy.

Voltage-Gated Channels

Channels that open or close in response to changes in membrane potential.

Equilibrium Potential

The membrane potential at which the net movement of a particular ion across the membrane is zero.

Sodium-Potassium Pump

A protein that pumps sodium out of the cell and potassium into the cell, maintaining the concentration gradients.

Resting Membrane Potential (RMP)

The difference in voltage across the cell membrane when the neuron is at rest, typically around -70 mV.

Ligands

Molecules that bind to receptors to trigger a response, often neurotransmitters in the context of neurons.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.

Permeability

The ability of a membrane to allow substances to pass through it.

Hyperpolarization

An increase in membrane potential, making the inside of the cell more negative.

Depolarization

A decrease in the membrane potential, making the inside of the cell more positive.

Ion Channel

A protein that allows ions to pass through the cell membrane.