Neuroscience: Resting Membrane Potential

Study Notes

Resting membrane potential is the voltage difference across a neuron's cell membrane when it's not transmitting a signal.
The inside of a cell is typically negative relative to the outside.
This difference in charge is crucial for nerve impulse transmission.

Ion concentrations: Different ion concentrations inside and outside the cell create a concentration gradient. Potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), chloride (Cl-), and anions influence this. Specific concentrations are provided in other sections.
Membrane permeability: The cell membrane's selective permeability to different ions is critical. The membrane is more permeable to potassium than sodium at rest.

Ion channels allow specific ions to pass through the cell membrane. These channels are involved in establishing and maintaining the resting membrane potential.
The movement of ions down their concentration gradients causes charge separation, leading to the negative inside and positive outside.

The sodium-potassium pump actively transports sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions back into the cell.
This mechanism helps maintain the proper ion concentration gradients necessary for resting potential.
The pump uses energy (ATP) to maintain these gradients.

The plasma membrane surrounds the cell, separating its internal structures from the external environment.
It controls the passage of materials into and out of the cell, essential for functioning.
Integral proteins span the membrane, performing various functions.
Peripheral proteins are partially embedded in the membrane.

Crucial for nerve impulse transmission; it's the starting point for signal propagation.
Enables neurons to respond rapidly to stimuli.

Hodgkin and Huxley: Nobel Prize recipients for their work on action potentials, specifically studied squid giant axons, and their research significantly advanced the understanding of nerve impulses.

The images presented show diagrams of neurons, plasma membranes, and the process of electrochemical impulse propagation.
Different regions of the neuron are labeled (dendrites, axon hillock, axon, myelinated/unmyelinated regions).
Images highlight the roles of neurotransmitters and ion channels in transmitting signals.
Information includes details on the structure, function, and importance of the plasma membrane.
Discussion points about resting membrane potential include why osmosis doesn't work in a similar fashion in neurons and the importance of determining resting potential in a neuron, which is a starting point for neuronal signaling.