NROB60H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Resting Potential, Lipid Bilayer, Electrical Polarity
Document Summary
The axonal membrane has properties that enable it to conduct a special type of signal the nerve impulse, or action potential that overcomes these biological constraints. As we will see in a moment, the term. Potential refers to the separation of electrical charge across the membrane. In contrast to passively conducted electrical signals, action potentials do not diminish over distance; they are signals of fixed size and duration. Information is encoded in the frequency of action potentials of individual neurons as well as in the distribution and number of neurons firing action potentials in a given nerve. This type of code is somewhat like morse code sent down an old fashioned telegraph wire; information is encoded in the pattern of electrical impulses. Cells capable of generating and conducting action potentials, which include both nerve and muscle cells, are said to have excitable membrane. The action in action potentials occurs at the cell membrane.
