PSYC 314 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Saltatory Conduction, Choline, Active Transport
8 Feb 2018
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Document Summary
Neurons communicate with one another using chemical signals. Inside the neuron is in terms of inside the axon. Outside the neuron is in terms of outside the axon: the membrane potential. Microelectrodes: extremely fine electrodes used for intracellular recording. Intracellular electrodes whose tips are less than one-thousandth of a millimeter in diameter. Scientists first used the axon of a giant squid: the resting potential. The value of the membrane potential in a neuron that is at rest. The relative voltage inside the neuron compared to the outside of the neuron at rest (when it(cid:859)s not sending signals) The resting potential of a neuron is usually around -70millivolts (mv) Neuron polarization: when at rest, the inside of the neuron is negatively charged relative to the extracellur fluid. From the resting potential, when information is sent then the resting potential is disturbed: distribution of ions inside and outside the cell membrane.
