Sources of bioelectric potentials and

propagation of action potentials

• Bioelectric potentials, which are electrical potentials generated by biological systems, have various sources.
Some common sources include:
• Resting Membrane Potential: This is a voltage difference across the plasma membrane of a cell when it's at
rest. It's primarily generated by the selective permeability of the cell membrane to ions like potassium (K+)
and sodium (Na+).
• Action Potentials: These are rapid changes in membrane potential that occur in excitable cells like neurons
and muscle cells. They are generated by the opening and closing of voltage-gated ion channels.
• Synaptic Potentials: In neurons, when one neuron communicates with another, synaptic potentials are
generated. These result from the release of neurotransmitters and the opening of ligand-gated ion channels in
the postsynaptic cell.
• Muscle Action Potentials: Muscle cells generate electrical potentials when they contract. These are known as
action potentials in muscle fibers and are responsible for muscle contractions.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): The electrical activity of the heart is recorded through an ECG. It shows
the depolarization and repolarization of the heart's chambers, known as P, QRS, and T waves.
• Electroencephalogram (EEG): EEG measures the electrical activity in the brain. It detects the synchronized
firing of neurons and is used in neuroscience and clinical settings.
• Electromyogram (EMG): EMG records the electrical activity in muscles. It's used in various medical
applications, including studying muscle disorders and evaluating nerve-muscle communication.
• Electroretinogram (ERG): ERG measures the electrical responses of the retina to light stimuli. It's used in
ophthalmology to diagnose retinal diseases.
• Electrogastrogram (EGG): EGG records the electrical activity of the stomach and is used to study gastric
motility and digestive disorders.Bioelectric Signals in Plants: Plants also generate electrical potentials in
response to various stimuli, such as light (phototropism) or mechanical stimulation (thigmotropism).