BIOL 2312 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Myelin, Electric Potential, Membrane Potential
Document Summary
The inside of the cell is more negatively charged than the outside of the cell. So something has to happen in order to generate a membrane imbalance. This is an atp pump, so energy is required and it never shuts off. Pushes out 3 na+ for every 2 k+ brought in. These allow for more k+ to diffuse out than na+ to diffuse in. Because they allow for unrestricted movement of specific ions. Ligand: controlled by a binding of some chemical messenger to a channel. Mechanical: controlled by a mechanical force on the cell. Two major forces act on ions in establishing the resting membrane potential. Electrical potential produced by unequal distribution of charges. Concentration gradient produced by unequal concentrations of molecules from one side of the membrane to the other. Neurons are unique because of their sudden and temporary disruption to the resting potential in response to stimuli. Excitability make 2 types of changes (charge changes)