Resting Potential

Resting Potential

1. Neurons

   • use electrical signalling
     • to
       • communicate
       • allow
         • the nervous system
           • to function
   • have a
     • voltage
       • across
         • the membrane
       • difference in
         • electrical potential
         • that we
           • measure
             • from the inside
               • with respect
                 • to the outside

2. Voltage differences

   • are the
     • result
       • of the
         • movement
           • of ions
       • Neurons
         • sit in a
           • solution
             • that contains
               • particular concentrations
                 • of certain
                   • ions
                     • that have
                       • particular concentrations
                         • inside
                           • the neurons
                             • themselves

3. Two

   • separate forces
     • guide the movement
       • of ions
         • across the membrane
     • diffusion
     • electrostatic forces
   • Ions
     • move through
       • channels in the membrane
     • depending on
       • the proteins in
         • the neuronal membrane
           • different ions
             • are able to
               • pass through
                 • the membrane
                   • more
                     • easily
                       • we call this
                         • different permeabilities
                   • less
                     • easily

4. Using

   • certain
     • equations
       • we can calculate
         • an electrical potential
           • across a membrane
             • GHK equation
               • calculate
                 • the resting potential
                   • when many
                     • ions
                       • are involved
           • for the movement of
             • a single ion
               • the Nersnt equation
                 • determines
                   • the equilibrium potential
                     • under which
                       • diffusion
                       • electrostatic force
                       • are balanced

5. the maintenance

   • of the resting potetial
     • is very
       • important
         • for neurons

6. there are pumps

   • such as the
     • Sodium/Potassium ATPase
       • that consume
         • inmense
           • amounts
             • of energy
               • to keep
                 • ions
                   • at particular concentrations
                     • ensuring that
                       • the neurons
                         • are able
                           • to function properly