PSY290H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Axon Hillock, Sodium Channel, Resting Potential
Document Summary
Neurons communicate based on a resting potential. Integration of po stsyn aptic poten tials and gen eration of action potentials. Action potentials are generated at the initial axonal segment. The axon initial segment is the first point where information gets met by a voltage gated channel. There are no voltage gated channels in the axon hillock, meaning that the voltage gated channels must begin beside it, or slightly upstream on the axon. Voltage gated channels in the initial axonal segment are of two types; the types that let sodium (na+) go through, and the type that let potassium (k+) go through. These channels are normally closed, and only open up under the right conditions (the right voltage) Any electrical potential can result in changes in the channels, so long as the electrical potential is enough. The voltage gated sodium channel: sensory activity, depolarization, channel opens. Interactions with touch receptors open up o the deflection, allowing sodium to enter a neuron.
