PSB-2000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Axon Hillock, Resting Potential, Cell Membrane
Document Summary
Receptors in neurons bind neurotransmitters from other neurons. The neurotransmitters can lead to an action potential. Action potential: an electrical impulse that travels down the axon, leading to neurotransmitter release. All of this involves the movement of ions into and out of neurons. Na+, ca2+, k+, and cl- move through ion channel (protein channels) These ions are inside and outside of the cell. They are not equally distributed: na+ and cl- are more concentrated outside the cell, k+ is more concentrated inside the cell. ***because of the negative charge of the other organic anions in the cell!! A- are organic anions that are also inside the cell: these are mostly amino acids and proteins. Resting potential: nothing is going on; no action potential conducted. Concentration gradient: different levels of inside versus outside. Example: there is a higher concentration of sodium outside to inside. Electrical gradient: different charge inside versus outside.
