BISC 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 21: Resting Potential, Ion Transporter, Neurotransmitter

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Biological Sciences
• Course: BISC 101
• Professor: Tony Williams

Document Summary

How nerve cells generate and transmit action potentials. How neural (electrical) signalling is modulated by input from sensory receptors. All cells have a membrane potential- and electrical charge or voltage difference- across the plasma membrane. Ion pumps and ion channels establish and maintain a resting membrane potential. Propagation or movement of the action potential along the nerve cell axon transmits information. Gilal cells are an important component of the cns. Astrocytes -provide structural support, regulate extracellular concentrations of neuro transmitters. A membrane potential is a voltage difference across a plasma membrane. Nerve cells have resting membrane potential of -60 to -80mv. Formation of resting membrane potential- role of ion channels and na+/k+ pumps. Outward diffusion of k+ via lots of open resting (leak) k channels. Little inward diffusion of na+ due to few open resting na channels. Inside becomes negative due to loss of k+(until equilibrium occurs)