CMD 377 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Resting Potential, Axon Terminal, Membrane Potential
Document Summary
Cells specialized for sending and receiving signals: 2 mechanisms for conveying info. Chemical between neurons: soma: cell body. Supports the metabolic needs of the rest of the neuron: dendrites. Receive information from other neurons via synaptic contacts: axon: single, cylindrical fiber. Conduct information away from the cell body to other neurons. Axon terminals (synaptic endings) form synapses on other neurons: cell membrane. Molecules embedded in the membrane some provide channel for certain ions to enter/leave. Each ion has its own specific molecule channel. Channels are voltage-gated: open/close in response to changes in the action potential across the membrane: cytoplasm. Contains chemical substances involved in transmission between cells. Determined by the number of processes in a particular neuron. Unipolar one process which divides into the receiving and conducting part. Bipolar one axon and one dendrite. Multipolar most common; multiple dendritic projections. Unequal ion concentration across the cell membrane causes electrical potential difference: -70mv resting membrane potential (negative inside the cell)
