Psychology 2220A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Choline, Nicotine, Nitric Oxide
8 Mar 2016
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Recording the membrane potential: difference in electrical charge between inside and outside of cell. The inside of the neuron is negative with respect to the outside. Factors contributing to even distribution of ions (charged particles) Random motion: particles tend to move down their concentration gradient. Sodium ion channels in resting neurons are closed. Potassium channels are open, more on inside that outside but don"t diffuse because they are attracted to the negative charge. At the same rate that na+ ions leaked into resting neurons, other na + ions were actively transported out. At the same rate that k+ leaked out, other k+ ions were actively transported in. Ions move in and out through ion-specific channels. A- don"t move at all - trapped inside. The potential at which there is no net movement of an ion; the potential it will move to achieve when allowed to move freely.
