BIOL 339 Chapter Notes -Resting Potential, Endoplasmic Reticulum, Electrochemical Gradient
Document Summary
Animal cells have voltage difference across cell membranes called resting membrane potential. Voltage difference along with concentration gradients across membrane= electrochemical gradient that acts as a form of potential energy. Cells harness this to move substances across membranes, and use changes in membrane potential as communication signals. Excitable cells rapidly alter membrane potential in respond to an incoming signal. Types of excitable cells: neurons, endocrine cells, muscle cells, fertilized egg cells. Neurons are specialized to carry electrical distances across long distances. Zone 1is specialized to receive signals, zone 2 a area that integrates the signals, zone 3 next segment specialized to conduct integrated signals along neuron, across long distances, Zone 4 is specialized to transmit signals to other cells. Neurons have specific polarity, signals travel one end to other, not reverse. A neuron that sends signals from the central nervous system to skeletal muscles.