leaky K+ channels
Na+/K+ ATPase (sodium pump - electrogenic)
fixed anions inside cell
central nervous sytem (CNS)
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
cerebrum (cerebral hemisphere)
diencephalon
midbrain *
cerebellum
pons *
medulla oblongata *
spinal cord
support cells of CNS
astrocytes
oligodendrocytes
ependymal cells
microglia
Initial depolarizing stimulus reaches threshold
Na+ channels open to intake Na+ (depolarizing - fast)
K+ channels open to release K+ (repolarizing - slow)
Na+ channels inactivate (repolarizing - fast)
Both Na+ and K+ channel close (K slower)
action potentials reach axon terminals
voltage-gated Ca2+ channels open
Ca2+ binds to sensor protein in cytoplasm (fusing)
Ca2+ protein complex stimulates fusion and exocytosis of neurotransmitter