* A stereotyped change in membrane potential
* If the RMP moves past the threshold, membrane potential quickly moves up to +40 mV and then returns to resting
* This is caused by NA+ coming in and causing a spike, then K+ going out, the downsizing of the spike
* Neuron membrane also contains ion channels (pores) that can open and allow ions (Na+ and K+) to enter and leave neuron
* membrane contains billions of channels that can admit billions of Na+ ions
* When threshold of excitation is reached on the membrane
* opening of channels is triggered by depolarization of membrane potential (i.e. immediately adjacent membrane charge changing to negative. Thus they are called voltage dependent ion channels).
* Diffusion and electrostatic forces propel Na+ into neuron.
* Influx of Na+ causes rapid change of membrane potential (charge) from –70 mV to 40 mV
* K+ ion channels are less sensitive than Na+, require more depolarization (change in membrane charge) to open, and open after Na+ channels.
* At peak of action potential (i.e membrane charge reaches 40 mV) Na+ channels become refractory, i.e. are blocked, and no more Na+ can enter until membrane resting potential is restored
* K+ channels are open. Because of influx of Na+, inside of membrane is positively charged and immediate outside of membrane is negatively charged. K+ is driven out of the neuron by diffusion and attracted out by electrostatic forces. This causes the membrane potential to begin returning to normal. As this happens K+ channels are closed
* Na+ channels reset so another depolarization can cause them to open again
* Accumulation of K+ outside causes the membrane to “overshoot” and become hyperpolarized, i.e. charge goes below –70 mV. K+ diffuses away and membrane returns to –70 mV
* Na+ - K+ transporters eventually remove Na+ from neuron and retrieve K+
* Changes Na+ and K+ concentrations, and in membrane charge take place just at the area immediately inside and outside the membrane and not throughout the neuron. Influx of Na+ is small relative to the overall concentration of Na+ in the neuron
* Na+ - K+ transporters are not that essential in restoring Na+ and K+ levels after action potential. The small amount of these ions that cross the membrane is small relative to the overall concentration in the neuron and is “hardly noticeable”. Transporters are most important on a long-term basis to prevent the slight amount of Na+ that leaks into the neuron (because of the slight permeability of the membrane to Na+) from causing too high a concentration in the neuron that would prevent it from functioning