L4: Membrane Potential

membrane potential

separation of charges across the plasma membrane

electrochemical gradient

drives the momvement of ions in and out of the cell

equilibrium potential

electrical gradient & chemical gradient counteract one another perfectly

negative membrane potential

negative charges line the cytosolic side of the plasma membrane and the positive are on the extracellular side

positive membrane potential

positive charges line the cytosolic side of the plasma membrane & negative are on the extraceullular side

depolarization

making the cell less polarized

repolarization

making the cell more polarized

leak channel

no stimulus— always open

ligand-gated channel

binding of a ligand to a receptor associated with the channel

votage-gated channel

voltage changes across the plasma membrane

mechanically gated channel

mechanical deformations of the channel

local potential

short ranged, bi-directional, and shirt-lived changes in membrane potential; generated in dendrites & cell body