Neurosci 302: Membrane Biophysics & Synaptic Transmission

These flashcards cover key concepts in membrane biophysics and synaptic transmission as outlined in the lecture notes.

The cell membrane is composed of a __ bilayer.

phospholipid

The __ potential is the difference in electrical charge between the inside and outside of the cell.

membrane

The __ pump uses ATP to move ions across the membrane, often exchanging them.

ion

Membrane potential at rest is approximately __ mV.

-70

At resting state, the membrane is more permeable to __ than Na+.

K+

The __ of an ion is the membrane potential where the ion is at rest, meaning it alone can move.

equilibrium potential

An action potential is generated when the membrane potential reaches the __ threshold.

depolarization

The __ period is the time during which another action potential is not possible.

absolute refractory

__ channels open in response to changes in membrane potential, allowing ions to flow.

Voltage-gated

Calcium influx during synaptic transmission interacts with __ to trigger vesicle fusion.

synaptotagmin

Synaptic transmission involves the release of neurotransmitters from __ vesicles.

synaptic

The __ zone is where vesicles dock and interact with the presynaptic membrane.

active

During synaptic transmission, vesicles bind to the membrane through a process involving v-SNAREs and __.

t-SNAREs

In axonal conduction, __ conduction occurs at the nodes of Ranvier in myelinated axons.

saltatory

The primary ion responsible for membrane resting potential is __.

K+

During a relative refractory period, another action potential can occur but requires a __ stimuli.

stronger

Neurotransmitters are released into the __ cleft to signal the postsynaptic neuron.

synaptic

The __ mediated release of synaptic vesicles requires calcium ions as a trigger.

Ca2+ dependent

The __ is the area where receptor density increases and signal transduction occurs.

postsynaptic density

The process of __ takes place when excess vesicular membrane is retrieved post-exocytosis.

endocytosis