PSYC62H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Ligand-Gated Ion Channel, Metabotropic Receptor, Resting Potential
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The electrochemical gradient is a state that the resting membrane potential exhibits. The sodium potassium pump is there to allow for differences in the concentrations of ions which allows for there to be a resting membrane potential with the potential for action. Action potential - potential for action, indicating a dynamic shift. May be required to demonstrate how this works on the exam* Each neuron has the capability to fire, it is a binary function which is based on multiple inputs. In axons the action potential only goes in one direction by way of the axon hillock. This figure shows the wave or propagation of the signal in keeping with the change. You cannot go backwards, the voltage gated sodium channels are waiting for a change. As a change happens at the axon hillock sufficient enough to hit the threshold, a wave starts going down which will not fire yet.