PSYCH 3240 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Resting Potential, Axon Hillock, Metabotropic Receptor
9 Sep 2016
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Membrane potential: the difference in electrical charge between the inside and the outside of a cell. Microelectrodes: extremely fine recording electrodes, which are used for intracellular recording. Resting potential: the steady membrane potential of a neuron at rest, usually about -70mv. Ion channels: pores in neural membranes through which specific ions pass. Sodium-potassium pumps: active transport mechanisms that pump na+ ions out of neurons and k+ ions in. Transporters: mechanisms in the membrane of a cell that actively transport ions or molecules across the membrane. Excitatory postsynaptic potentials (epsps): graded post-synaptic depolarizations, which increase the likelihood that an action potential will be generated. Inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (ipsps): graded post-synaptic hyperpolarizations, which decrease the likelihood that an action potential will be generated. Graded responses: responses whose magnitude is indicative of the magnitude of the stimuli that induce them. Axon hillock: the comical structure at the junction between the axon and cell body.
