L24. Neuroscience - Electrochemical Basis of Neural Signaling

The flow of ions across the neuron's membrane, responsible for transmitting signals within a neuron.

Transmembrane proteins forming pores in the lipid bilayer of a neuron's membrane, allowing ion flow across it, and playing a crucial role in neuronal signaling.

The difference in electrical potential between the inside and outside of a neuron's membrane.

A protein that actively pumps sodium ions (Na+) out of the cell and potassium ions (K+) into the cell, maintaining the concentration gradients crucial for membrane potential.

Ion channels that are always open, contributing to the resting membrane potential by allowing passive ion movement across the membrane.

The state of a neuron when it is not actively transmitting a signal, with a stable negative charge inside the cell relative to the outside.

Branching structures at the receiving end of a neuron that collect incoming signals from other neurons.

The long, slender projection of a neuron that transmits signals to other neurons or target cells.

Specialized endings at the end of an axon that release neurotransmitters to communicate with other neurons.

The change in membrane potential that is localized and graded in amplitude, meaning its strength varies with the strength of the stimulus. It plays a key role in the integration of incoming signals at the neuron.

An equation that calculates the equilibrium potential for a single ion across a membrane, considering its concentration gradient and charge.

The dominant ion current contributing to the resting membrane potential because potassium (K+) ions leak out of the neuron through leak channels.

An equation that calculates the membrane potential considering all the ionic currents across the membrane, including the leak currents of K+, Na+, and Cl-.

The passive spread of graded potentials along the dendrites and soma of a neuron, governed by the physical properties of the membrane.

The ability of a neuron to integrate multiple graded potentials arriving at different locations, summing their effects.

The region at the base of the axon where graded potentials converge and trigger an action potential if the threshold is reached.

The minimal level of depolarization needed to open voltage-gated sodium channels and generate an action potential.

A rapid and short-lasting depolarization of the membrane that propagates along the axon, transmitting information over long distances.

The ability of an action potential to travel in only one direction along an axon, preventing it from going backwards.

A brief period after an action potential during which a neuron cannot generate another action potential, ensuring that signals are transmitted in discrete units.

Repeated firing of action potentials in response to a prolonged depolarizing stimulus, often used to encode the intensity of a signal.

Specialized coverings around axons that increase the speed of action potential propagation by insulating the axon and allowing the signal to jump between gaps.

Gaps in the myelin sheath where the axon is exposed, allowing for the rapid regeneration of the action potential.

The speed at which an action potential travels along an axon.

A junction between two neurons, allowing them to communicate with each other.

A synapse where electrical signals are directly transmitted from one neuron to another through specialized channels called gap junctions.

A synapse where chemical signals are transmitted from one neuron to another via the release of neurotransmitters.

Specialized structures within nerve terminals that contain neurotransmitters and release them into the synaptic cleft.

A specialized area on the presynaptic neuron where neurotransmitters are released. These zones contain a high concentration of calcium channels and synaptic vesicles, facilitating efficient neurotransmitter release.

A protein complex that helps anchor synaptic vesicles to the plasma membrane, facilitating neurotransmitter release. It's made up of four helical proteins that coil together.

A specialized protein that binds to calcium ions and triggers the fusion of synaptic vesicles with the plasma membrane, releasing neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters contained in larger vesicles, often involved in slower and longer-lasting signaling.

The principle that synaptic transmission is not always perfectly consistent, meaning the strength of a signal can vary from one transmission to the next.

A type of synaptic transmission that involves a delayed release of neurotransmitters. It can occur outside of the usual action-potential-dependent release.

Synapses that typically connect with the dendrites of postsynaptic neurons, often leading to excitation of the postsynaptic neuron.

Synapses that typically connect with the cell body of postsynaptic neurons, often leading to inhibition of the postsynaptic neuron.

A type of neuronal network where multiple neurons converge onto a single neuron, allowing information from various sources to be integrated.

A type of neuronal network where a single neuron projects to multiple neurons, allowing information to be disseminated to various destinations.