Transcript Lecture 4

Transmission
1. innervation
- cell body as integrator
2. action potentials (impulses)
- axon hillock
3. myelin sheath
4. Voltage-gated ion channels
- large concentration in hillock
- found along the axon
Neuron signaling
1. afferent vs. efferent
2. interneurons
3. circuits
4. synapses
- presynaptic terminal
- postsynaptic terminal
- neurotransmitters
- ligand-gated ions channels on postsynaptic membrane
Nervous System
A. Organization of neurons
1. circuits for stimulus-response
2. exchange of information
Figure 7.1
Central Nervous System
1. brain
2. nerve cord
- ganglia associated
3. axons project to and from the body (CNS  PNS)
4. cell bodies in CNS except some in ganglia
Support cells (neuroglia)
- more abundant than neurons
- more mitotic capability
Membrane Potentials
A. Measured across the cell membrane
1. use internal and external electrodes
- reference electrode and recording microelectrode
2. measure potential difference between ICF and ECF (voltage)
3. determines Vm (membrane potential)
- intracellular potential relative to extracellular potential
- extracellular potential considered zero
B. Resting potential Vrest
1. steady state negative potential of ICF
- usually between -20 and -100 mV
2. reflects an electrical gradient (energy)
Electrical Properties of Membranes
A. Conductance (g)
1. conferred by ion channels
2. is inversely related to resistance
3. Ohm’s law: ∆Vm = ∆I x R
∆Vm = change in voltage across the membrane
∆I = current across the membrane (in amps)
R = electrical resistance of the membrane (in Ohms)
Electrical Properties of Membranes
B. Capacitance (ability to store an electric charge)
1. conferred by membrane itself
bilayer is an insulating layer separating charges
2. capacitative current
- ability of ions to interact across the membrane without
crossing the bilayer
- charges collect on either side of the membrane
- energy of the charges “stored” by the capacitor
Electrochemical Potentials
A. Factors responsible
1. ion concentration gradients on either side of the membrane
- maintained by active transport
Electrochemical Potentials
A. Factors responsible
2. selectively permeable ion channels
B. Gradients not just chemical, but electrical too
1. electromotive force can counterbalance diffusion gradient
2. electrochemical equilibrium
C. Establishes an equilibrium potential for a particular ion
based on Donnan equilibrium
Assume Cl- cannot
cross the membrane
Nernst equation (pp. 69-71)
1. What membrane potential would exist at the true equilibrium
for a particular ion?
- What is the voltage that would balance diffusion gradients
with the force that would prevent net ion movement?
2. This theoretical equilibrium potential can be calculated (for a
particular ion).
Eion = RT ln [X]outside
zF
[X]inside
Goldman Equation
1. quantitative representation of Vm when membrane is
permeable to more than one ion species
2. involves permeability constants (P)
+]
+]
-]
RT
P
[K
+
P
[Na
+
P
[Cl
K
out
Na
out
Cl
in
ENa,K,Cl = ___ln _____________________________
+] + P
+] + P [Cl-]
P
[K
[Na
K
in
Na
in
Cl
out
F
pp 72-73
Resting Potential
A. Vrest
1. represents potential difference at non-excited state
-30 to -100mV depending on cell type
2. not all ion species may have an ion channel
3. there is an unequal distribution of ions due to active pumping
mechanisms
- contributes to Donnan equilibrium
- creates chemical diffusion gradient that contributes to the
equilibrium potential
Resting Potential
B. Ion channels necessary for carrying charge across the membrane
1. the  the concentration gradient, the greater its
contribution to the membrane potential
2. K+ is the key to Vrest (due to increased permeability)
- opening K+ channels will greatly alter Vrest
Resting Potential
C. Role of active transport
ENa is + 63 mV in frog muscle
Vm is -90 to -100mV in frog muscle