PSY 3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Saltatory Conduction, Motor Neuron, Fruit Preserves
17 Jan 2017
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Document Summary
Action potential: resting potential remains stable until the neuron is stimulated. Hyperpolarization: increasing the polarization of the difference between the electrical charge of inside and outside of membrane. The threshold of excitation: a level above which any stimulation produces a massive depolarization. The action potential threshold varies from one neuron to another, but is consistent for each neuron. Stimulation of the neuron past the threshold of excitation triggers a nerve impulse or action potential. 1 at first, the opening of potassium channels produces little effect. 2 opening sodium channels lets sodium ions rush into the axon. 3 positive charge flows down the axon and opens voltage- gated sodium channels at the next point. 4 at the peak of the action potential, the sodium gates snap shut. They remain closed for the next millisecond or so, despite the depolarization of the membrane.
