BIOL 2021 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Sodium Channel, Electrochemical Gradient, Membrane Potential

39 views3 pages

Document Summary

Responsible for generating action potentials which are triggered by depolarization. Depolarization starts the process (by a ligand gated na+ channel at the synapse. Or a neighbouring voltage-gated channel in the axon) Voltage-gated na+ channel opens in response to depolarization and allows a small amount of sodium to enter the cell down its electrochemical gradient. This depolarizes the membrane further, which opens more channels, creating a self-amplification process. Sodium channels inactivate and voltage-gated k+ channels open to restore the membrane potential to its initial negative value and saves the cell from an electrical spasm. The inactivating mechanism causes the channels to close rapidly even though the membrane is still depolarized: remain in this inactivated state until after the membrane potential has returned to its initial negative value. Refractory period: time needed for a sufficient number of sodium channels to recover from inactivation to support new action potential: limits the firing rate of a neuron.

Get access

Grade+
$40 USD/m
Billed monthly
Grade+
Homework Help
Study Guides
Textbook Solutions
Class Notes
Textbook Notes
Booster Class
10 Verified Answers
Class+
$30 USD/m
Billed monthly
Class+
Homework Help
Study Guides
Textbook Solutions
Class Notes
Textbook Notes
Booster Class
7 Verified Answers

Related Documents

Related Questions