‫بسم اهلل الرحمن الرحيم‬

Electrophysiology
Abu ahmed
2019
1
 The cell membrane
Surrounds human cells.
Thickness= 7.5 nm .
Made up of lipid bilayer and
proteins.
The lipids:
Cholesterol
Phospholipids
 The proteins are two types:
Integral proteins (Intrinsic)
Peripheral proteins (extrinsic)
 The proteins in the cell membrane
may act as:
Pumps.
Carriers.
Channels.
Receptors.
Enzymes.
Adhesion molecules.
 Transport protein channels
can be:
Simple aqueous ion channels:
e.g Aquaporins for water.
Continuously open
Gated (open or closed)
Gated channels:
1\ Voltage gated channels
open due to alteration in the membrane
potential
eg : Na+ channels
 2\ Ligand gated channels:
Activated by neurotransmitters or hormones

 e.g Acetylcholine receptors

 Transport across cell membranes
There are two types of transport:
1. Passive transport
2. Active transport
Passive transport does not required energy,
includes:
A. Simple diffusion: movement of molecules
from a region of higher concentration to a
region of lower concentration
 e.g O2 & CO2
•The rate of diffusion it is affected by:
1. Thickness of membrane
2. Molecules size
3. Solubility of the substance (lipid
soluble substances pass easy)
4. Temperature
5. Molecular weight
B. Facilitated diffusion:
Is passive transport but required
carrier e.g absorption of glucose in the
intestine.
C. Osmosis
Osmosis
 Active transport
Required energy.
Against chemical (chemical )& or
electrical gradient.
Active transport can be:
Primary active transport
Secondary active transport
 Primary active transport

Energy required directly.

e.g. Na+-K+ pump
 Secondary active transport
required energy but not directly.
There are two types:
1.Co-Transport (Symport)
transport in the same direction. e.g
Na+ - glucose transport in the kidney.
2. Counter Transport (antiport ) transport
in the opposite direction.
e.g H+ – K+ exchange.
 Exocytosis
For secretion of proteins synthesized
within the cell.
Exocytosis requires calcium and energy
 Endocytosis
The reverse of exocytosis.
Types:
Phagocytosis (Cell eating)
For solidsubstances like bacteria or
dead tissues.
Pinocytosis (Cell drinking)
For soluble substances.