Electrochemical Characteristics of Neurons

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Behavioural Neuroscience Mind Map on Electrochemical Characteristics of Neurons, created by lynda_ashford_25 on 22/10/2013.
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Mind Map by lynda_ashford_25, updated more than 1 year ago
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Created by lynda_ashford_25 about 11 years ago
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Electrochemical Characteristics of Neurons
  1. Neuronal membrane- all parts of a neuron are covered by a membrane about 8nm thick. Has two layers of phospholipid molecules
    1. Electrical gradient- membrane remains this when there is no outside disturbance. Has a negatively charged inside due to negative proteins.
      1. Polarization- difference of electrical charge between the inside and outside of the cell.
        1. Concentration gradient- the difference in distribution of ions across the membrane
          1. Sodium is more concentrated outside than inside. More likely to enter cell than leave it.
      2. Resting potential- prepares a neuron to respond rapidly. Maintains the negative charge within the neuron by the sodium-potassium pump.
        1. Sodium-potassium pump- every two potassium ions it draws into a cell, it removes three sodium cells.
        2. Action potential- messages sent by the axon. Achieved when the sodium channels open. If enough sodium gets in via depolarization, it can reach the threshold of excitation causing sodium channels to open.
          1. A positive charge now flows down the axon and opens channel at the next point, the Nodes of Ranvier, which over shoots the charge.
            1. Channels then snap shut and the sodium-potassium pump helps return the cell to a polarized level.
              1. Leads to an undershoot phase as potassium rushes out of its channels due to the new positive charge. Known as hyperpolarization
              2. Propagation of the action potential- transmission of action potential down an axon (gives birth to a new action potential at each point along the axon)
                1. All or none law- the amplitude and velocity of an action potential are independent of the intensity of the stimuli that initiated it. A stronger stimulus does not produce a stronger action potential
              3. Refractory period- cell resists the production of further action potentials
                1. Absolute refractory- first stage that lasts about 1ms. Membrane cannot produce an action potential.
                  1. Relative refractory- second stage that lasts about 2-4ms. Action potential can be produced but only by a stronger than usual stimulus
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