Neurons and Electrical Signaling

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Questions and Answers

Which discovery provided the first evidence that electrical signals can propagate information in the nervous system?

The discovery of all-or-none conduction principle

The discovery of the membrane potential

The discovery of sensory stimuli inducing nerve impulses

The discovery of muscle twitches in frogs (correct)

What is the physical basis of information flow within neurons?

Chemical signals

Thermal signals

Electrical signals (correct)

Mechanical signals

What is the membrane potential?

The resting state of neurons

The transient changes in membrane potential

The distribution of positive and negative charges on each side of the neuronal membrane (correct)

The nerve impulses that propagate along axons

What did studies of muscle contraction in response to electrical stimulation of motor nerves suggest?

Different stimulus strengths induce the same nerve impulse Signup and view all the answers

What did Edgar Adrian and his co-workers measure in their studies?

Nerve impulses from somatosensory neurons Signup and view all the answers

What did the amplifiers built in the 1920s allow researchers to do?

Record nerve impulses from single axon fibers Signup and view all the answers

What do somatosensory neurons convey information about?

Touch, pressure, and pain Signup and view all the answers

Which concept of modern neuroscience is based on the finding that increasing stimulus strength increases the frequency of nerve impulses?

The use of action potentials to convey signal intensity Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to refer to membrane potentials that can change in continuous values?

Graded potentials Signup and view all the answers

Which type of potentials are produced at the postsynaptic sites in response to neurotransmitter release?

Synaptic potentials Signup and view all the answers

Which part of a neuron contains thousands of postsynaptic sites on its dendritic tree?

Dendritic spines Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of synaptic potentials in most neurons?

To determine whether the neuron will fire action potentials Signup and view all the answers

Where is the site of action potential initiation typically located?

At the initial segment of the axon Signup and view all the answers

How are membrane potential changes transmitted between neurons at electrical synapses?

Through ion flow across gap junctions Signup and view all the answers

What is the process collectively referred to as when neurotransmitters are released from the presynaptic neuron and received by the postsynaptic neuron?

Synaptic transmission Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Discovery of Electrical Signals in Nervous System

The discovery of electrical signals in the nervous system provided the first evidence that electrical signals can propagate information.

Physical Basis of Information Flow within Neurons

The physical basis of information flow within neurons is based on changes in membrane potential.

Membrane Potential

Membrane potential is the electrical potential difference between the inside and outside of a neuron.

Muscle Contraction Studies

Studies of muscle contraction in response to electrical stimulation of motor nerves suggested that electrical signals can propagate information in the nervous system.

Edgar Adrian's Studies

Edgar Adrian and his co-workers measured the electrical activity of neurons.

Amplifiers in Neuroscience

The amplifiers built in the 1920s allowed researchers to amplify and record electrical signals from neurons.

Somatosensory Neurons

Somatosensory neurons convey information about sensory stimuli, such as touch, pain, and temperature.

Relationship between Stimulus Strength and Nerve Impulses

The frequency of nerve impulses increases with increasing stimulus strength, a concept that is a fundamental principle of modern neuroscience.

Membrane Potentials

Graded potentials are membrane potentials that can change in continuous values.

Postsynaptic Potentials

Excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) are produced at the postsynaptic sites in response to neurotransmitter release.

Dendritic Tree of Neurons

The dendritic tree of a neuron contains thousands of postsynaptic sites.

Synaptic Potentials

The purpose of synaptic potentials in most neurons is to generate an action potential if the sum of the EPSPs and IPSPs is above threshold.

Action Potential Initiation

The site of action potential initiation is typically located at the axon hillock.

Electrical Synapses

At electrical synapses, membrane potential changes are transmitted directly from one neuron to another through gap junctions.

Neurotransmission

Neurotransmission is the process by which neurotransmitters are released from the presynaptic neuron and received by the postsynaptic neuron.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the physical basis of information flow in neurons and the use of electrical signals in the nervous system. Learn about Luigi Galvani's discovery and the early understanding of electrical signaling.