PSY290H5 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Botulinum Toxin, Golgi Apparatus, Catecholamine
Document Summary
How neurons conduct and transmit electrochemical signals through the nervous system. 1 resting membrane potential: membrane potential: the difference in electrical charge between the inside and outside of a cell. Position tip of one electrode inside the neuron and tip of another electrode outside the neuron in the extracellular fluid. Tip must be fine enough to pierce neural membrane without severely damaging it. 1. 2 resting membrane potential: when both tips are in the extracellular fluid, the voltage difference b/w them is zero. When one tip is inserted into a neuron, a steady potential of about -70 milivolts (mv) is recorded. Indicates that potential inside resting neuron is about 70 mv less than outside the neuron: a steady membrane potential of about -70 mv is called the neuron"s resting potential. In its resting state with the -70 mv charge built up across the membrane, a neuron is said to be polarized.
