LIFESCI 2 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Myelin, Occipital Lobe, Positive Feedback
Document Summary
In the cleft, nt diffuse and bind to receptors on the postsynaptic cell"s membrane: neurons differ in size and shape. Linked by tight junctions to form selective barrier called blood-brain barrier. This barrier prevents pathogens & toxic compounds in blood from entering brain: the resting membrane potential is negative and results in part from the movement of k+ ions. Jump from node to node = saltatory propagation: neurons communicate at synapses, electrical synapses: provide direct electrical communication through gap junctions that form between neighboring cells. Limit ability to process and integrate info: enable rapid communication, found in giant axons of squids & large motor nerves in fish, also found in mammalian brain. Ipsp: negative change in membrane potential: binding of nt can hyperpolarize postsynaptic membrane & make the potential more negative through the opening of ligand-gated cl- or k+ channels.
