Electrical gradient/polarization
A difference in electrical charge between the inside and outside of the cell. Resting potential.
Selective permeability
Some chemicals pass through the cell membrane more freely than others do. Oxygen, carbon dioxide, urea, and water cross freely. Sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride don’t pass at rest
Sodium-potassium pump
A protein complex repeatedly transports 3 sodium irons out of the cell and 2 potassium ions in. It is an active pump that requires energy.
Concentration gradient
There are more sodium ions outside of the cell so based on its concentration, it is pulled into the cell. Vice versa for potassium
Action potentials
Messages sent by axons. Any stimulation that applies a depolarization stimulation to the negatively changed neuron, to make it positively charged, produced a response. The action potential response opens sodium’s channels and let’s sodium flow into the cell.
All or none law
No matter the strength of the depolarization, the action potentials for the same neuron are the same intensity and velocity. Also the action potential can change from neuron to neuron, as thicker neurons have greater velocity.
Steps of an action potentiometer
Charles Scott Sherrington
Demonstrated communication between neurons in specialized gaps called synapses. Studied reflexes on dogs.
Reflex Arc
The circuit from sensory neuron to muscle response