Action Potentials and Synaptic Transmission

Ionic Equilibrium & Membrane Potential

z z z

2 forces affecting ion movement:

concentrational and electrical

Electrochemical potential () quantifies the contribution of each to the movement of an ion If is +, ions move from A to B
If is -, ions move from B to A If = 0, no movement

The Nernst Equation

z At

electrochemical equilibrium, = 0

Electrical force = concentrational force

z Now,

we can compute the difference in potential (across the membrane) responsible for this balance.
EA EB = -60/z * log ([X+]A/[X+]B)

z Can

be used to predict which way ions will

flow

Resting Membrane Potential

The Nernst potential of each ion contributes to overall resting potential

Weighted average of the Nernst potentials of all

permeant ions

Nernst Potential vs Actual Potential

z z

Nernst potential = actual membrane potential

No movement

Nearnst potential is the same sign, but larger

Direction of flow determined by concentrational force
z

Down concentration gradient

Nernst potential is the same sign, but smaller

Direction of flow determined by electrical force
z

Opposite to concentration gradient

Nernst potential is of the opposite sign

Ion is not in equilibrium; flow determined by both

electrical and concentrational forces

Resting Membrane Potential

z Resting

membrane potential can change when a stimulus is applied

Depolarization decreases potential difference;

brings it closer to zero Hyperpolarization increases potential difference; brings it further away from zero

The Action Potential

z

Nothing happens until these graded potentials exceed a threshold potential

20-30 mV above

baseline

Unless threshold

reached, potential returns to baseline

The Action Potential

z

The basis of the signal-carrying ability of excitable tissue; basis for bioelectricity A sudden change in membrane potential Followed by a quick return to resting potential Either happens or does not:
Action potentials are all the same size and propagate down

z z z

the entire length of the nerve or muscle cell potentials, not amplitude

Strength of stimulus indicated by frequency of action

The Action Potential

z

Voltage-sensitive Na+ channels in the cell membrane start to open causing... The voltage to become more positive causing... Even more voltage-sensitive Na+ channels to open gNa ; Na+ rushes into the cell
membrane potential grows to +25-35 mV

z z

The Action Potential

Depolarization

The Action Potential

z

Na+ stops flooding in

High concentration inside cell limits diffusion Positive voltage inhibits entry of +ions

z z

K+ gates open gK ; K+ leaves the cell

Hyperpolarization back to resting potential

The Action Potential

Hyperpolarization

The Action Potential

z z

As K+ leaves, cell returns to resting state Membrane potential overshoots resting potential
Membrane is hyperpolarized

Refractory period
Na+ channels inactive No action potential can occur

After several msec, cell returns to normal state

The Action Potential

Refractory Period

The Action Potential

Action Potential Summary

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Resting potential Influx of Na+ K+ gates open Outflow of K+ Refractory period

Action Potential Conduction

z

Depolarized region causes current flow to adjacent areas of the membrane

Depolarization continues to next segments
z

Electrotonic conduction

AP regenerated; keeps same size and shape

Conduction Velocity
z

Speed is very important

Depends on electrical

properties of the membrane

Conduction velocity w/ fiber diameter

Resistance

Mylenation membrane of Schwann cells wrap around nerve fiber

Act as insulation

How does mylenation increase conduction velocity?

Myelin sheath:
length constant of

the fiber the capacitance of the fiber Restricts AP generation to Nodes of Ranvier
z

Under the myelin sheath:

Depolarization more

rapid Membrane resistance

z

APs localized to Nodes of Ranvier saltatory conduction

Cell-Cell Transmission of Information: The Synapse

z

Action potential ends at end of axon At end of axon there is either

Another nerve cell

(dendrites)
A muscle

Small gap in between

Synapse

Synaptic Transmission
z z

Action potential triggers release of Ca++ Presence of Ca++ triggers release of special chemicals stored in synaptic vescicles
Neurotransmitters
z

Acetylcholine (ACh) most important for nerve-muscle transmission Excitatory Inhibitory

z z

Neurotransmitters diffuse across synapse

Synaptic Transmission
z

Receptors on other end of synapse pick up neurotransmitters If enough excitatory neurotransmitters are received, gNa and gK increase
depolarization (EPP) will occur

New action potential in areas adjacent to endplate More action potentials received more neurotransmitters released

Input-Output Relations
z

One-to-one a single AP in the presynaptic cell evokes a single AP in the postsynaptic cell (i.e. neuromuscular junction) One-to-many a single AP in the presynaptic cell elicits many AP in the postsynaptic cell (i.e Renshaw cells) Many-to-one many, simultaneous APs from the presynaptic cells are necessary to elicit one AP in the postsynaptic cell
Some exitatory; some inhibitory

Integration of Inputs
z z

Permits fine control of neuronal firing patterns Spatial Summation addition of two APs that arrive almost simultaneously Temporal Summation occurs when 2 APs arrive in rapid succession
Causes stepwise change in

postsynaptic cell

Electrical Synapses
z

Electrical synapse a connection between cells in which an AP is transmitted to another cell by the direct flow of current
No synaptic delay
z

No diffusion of neurotransmitter

Allow conduction in both

directions

Connect neuronal cells in reflex pathways, smooth muscle cells, myocardial cells