Action potential

An electrical event typically come

across in the axon and signals the
neuron as “active”.
It travels through the entire length of
axon and causes the neurotransmitters
release in the synapse.
The action potential, together with the
neurotransmitters’ build up neuron –
neuron communication.
 Steps of Action Potential
• Resting Potential:
This is the resting membrane potential
before the action potential begins. The membrane is said to
be “polarized” during this stage because of the –90 millivolts
negative membrane potential that is present.
• Depolarization
the membrane suddenly becomes very permeable to
sodium ions, allowing tremendous numbers of positively
charged sodium ions to diffuse to the interior of the axon.
The normal “polarized” state of –90 millivolts is immediately
neutralized by the inflowing positively charged sodium
ions, with the potential rising rapidly in the positive
direction.
Repolarization--- Within a few 10,000ths of a
second after the membrane becomes highly
permeable to sodium ions, the sodium channels
begin to close and the potassium channels open
more than normal.
Then, rapid diffusion of potassium ions to the
exterior re-establishes the normal negative
resting membrane potential. This is called
repolarization of the membrane.
• Resting Conditions Re-established
Na+ and K+ channels are closed. Sodium-
potassium exchange pump moves Na+ out and
K+ in. Resting potential difference: -90 mV.
Refractory Period” After an Action
Potential, During Which a New
Stimulus Cannot Be Elicited
 Membrane potential
The polarized and depolarized stage of the
membrane is termed as the membrane potential.
Generally the Na+ and k+ channels are in open
state.
Ions move in the following order
• K+ comes out
• Na+ comes in
• Outside charge is negative
• Inside charge is positive
The permeability of a cell for ions depends on the
number and type of ion channels in the cell
membrane.
For example, if the Na channels are in open state
and are in the highest quantity, then the sodium
ions will tend to exhibit higher permeability.
membrane potential can also be defined as the
potential whenever the muscle cell or nerve is at
"rest“.
Resting membrane potential (RMP)
• A resting (non-signaling) neuron has a voltage across
its membrane called the resting membrane potential.
• The resting potential is determined by two methods as
described below:
– By measruing the concentration gradients of ions across the membrane
– and by membrane permeability to each type of ion
The overall state of the membrane in resting position is as
follows:
– Positive charge outside the membrane
– Negative charge inside the membrane
– No nerve impulse
– Na+ present outside
– K+ and cl- present inside
 RMP values
• The values of RMP varies depending upon the
type of cell and ranges from −20 mV to −100 mV.
For example
– In a typical skeletal muscle cell, its value is −90 mV.
– In a typical neuron, its value is −70 mV.
– In a typical epithelial cell, its value is closer to −50
mV.
(The minus sign indicates that the inside of the cell is
negative with respect to the surrounding extracellular
fluid)
 Graded potential of neurons
Depending on the stimulus, graded potentials
can be depolarizing or hyperpolarizing.
It is actually the difference of change in the
membrane potential in response to every single
stimuli.