Lesson # 8

The Nerve Impulse

We have looked at the physical infrastructure responsible for receiving stimuli and conducting nervous
impulse. We now want to look at the nature of an impulse. What exactly is a nerve impulse.

Before you proceed when you think of a nerve impulse, what comes to mind. (Write them down)

Nature of the Nerve impulse

Here are some characteristics of a nerve impulse:

1. Nerve impulses are the chemical-electrical messages of nerves (i.e. there is a chemical
component and an electrical component to a nerve impulse).

2. Nerve impulses are basically alike in all nerves and in all animals.

3. The nerve impulse is an “all or nothing” phenomenon. (This means that the nerve fibre is either
conducting a nerve impulse or not). In other words once it is triggered it will be conducted.

To understand precisely what a nerve impulse is and how it is conducted down a fibre we need to know
the condition of the nerve in an undisturbed state, i.e. when it is at rest. This condition is known as the
resting potential.
 The Resting Potential

Review the structure of the neuron. The membrane separates the inside (axoplasm ) from the outside
which is the interstial fluid.

With respect to sodium, chloride and potassium ions, we can summarize the distribution of those ions
on either side of the resting axon membrane as follows;

When at rest the following applies;

i. The interstitial fluid surrounding nerve cells contain relatively high concentrations of sodium and
+¿¿
chloride ions but low concentrations of K

ii. Inside the neuron the ratio is reversed (i.e. potassium ion concentration is high; sodium and
chloride concentration are low). In fact there is 10 times more sodium ions on the outside and
25 -30 times more potassium ions on the inside.

iii. There is therefore a differential gradient of sodium and potassium ions on either side of the
axon membrane.

iv. When at rest the nerve cell membrane is selectively permeable to potassium ions. At rest the
permeability to sodium and chloride ions is nearly zero.
 v. Because of (i) the differential gradient and (ii) the selective permeability to potassium ions,
potassium ions tend to diffuse outwards through ion specific channels along the concentration
gradient.

vi. Since chloride ions cannot follow, each potassium ion that leaves the axon, gives a positive
charge to the outside of the membrane.

vii. The continued diffusion of positive charge creates a charged membrane that is positive (+ve) on
the outside and negative (-ve) on the inside.

Viii. The difference in charge across the axon membrane can be measured with a volt meter; and gives a
voltage reading of -70mv (i.e. resting potential).

The membrane at rest is said to be polarized and have a resting potential value of -70mv.

The resting potential of -70mv is established by;

i. The differential gradients of sodium and potassium ions across the plasma membrane of the
axon
ii. The selective permeability of the membrane to potassium ions
However it is maintained by sodium/ potassium ions pumps. These pumps actively transport sodium
ions out of the axon and potassium ions in against their concentration gradients.

For every three(3) sodium ions pumped out, two potassium ions are pumped in. It means that more
potassium ions(positive charge) are deposited on the outside than inside.

Review Question

Examine the role of Potassium and Sodium ions in the resting membrane potential.