Fundamentals of the nervous system II

Electrophysiology

The study of electrical properties and phenomena in biological systems.

Membrane Potential

The difference in charge across a cell membrane, which is generated by the separation of opposite charges.

Ion Channels

Proteins in the cell membrane that allow ions to cross the membrane, resulting in changes in charge and voltage.

Voltage-Gated Ion Channels

Ion channels that open and close in response to changes in membrane potential.

Ligand-Gated Ion Channels

Ion channels that open and close in response to the binding of molecules to the cell membrane.

Resting Membrane Potential

The stable voltage difference across the cell membrane of a neuron when it is not transmitting signals.

Na+/K+ Pump

A protein in the cell membrane that uses ATP to actively transport sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell, maintaining the concentration gradients.

Graded Potential

Short-lived, localized changes in membrane potential that occur in response to a stimulus.

Action Potential

A brief, rapid change in membrane potential that allows neurons to transmit signals over long distances.

Propagation

The spread of an action potential from one area of the membrane to the next.

Conduction Velocity

The speed at which an action potential travels along an axon.

Axon Diameter

The width of an axon, which affects the resistance to the flow of ions and influences the conduction velocity.

Myelination

The presence of a myelin sheath around an axon, which allows for faster conduction of action potentials through saltatory conduction.

Continuous Conduction

Conduction of an action potential along a nonmyelinated axon, which is slower compared to saltatory conduction.

Saltatory Conduction

Conduction of an action potential along a myelinated axon, which is faster due to the jumping of the action potential between nodes of Ranvier.