PSYC 304 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Resting Potential, Nernst Equation, Lipid Bilayer
Document Summary
Neurophysiology: the generation, transmission, and integration of neural signals. Resting membrane potential: difference in electrical charge inside, compared to outside, of the neuron. Action potential: electrical signal that travels along the axon. When a neuron is quiescent (in a state or period of inactivity or dormancy), the. Due to: a) the movement of ions, b) selective permeability of the neuronal inside charge is different than the outside. membrane, and c) an ion pump. Neuron is more negative on the inside, in relation to the outside. The resting membrane potential is -50 to -80 millivolts (mv) and shows the negative polarity of the cell"s interior. Intracellular proteins have a net negative charge - contribute little to negativity. Ions: electrically charged molecules; due to an imbalance in the number of electrons versus protons. Anions are negatively charged, and cations are positively. The cell membrane is a lipid bilayer, with two layers of lipid molecules; cell exists in water.
