Electrical signals and neurons

Topics
1. Introduction 2. Energy and thermodynamics 3. Feeding and digestion 4. Ionic gradient, electrical potential

5. Electrical signals and neurons

6. Cytoskeletons, motor proteins and muscle

7. Heat production and body temperature

Neurons or nerve cells

At resting
K+
Na+

K+ channel facilitated diffusion

K+

Cl P-

K+ K+ K+ -

Na+ Cl -

For all living cells, there exist an electrical potential across the plasma membrane, with inside negative relative to outside. The formation of such a potential difference is due to the facilitated diffusion of K+ from inside to the outside.

During depolarization

K+ channel facilitated diffusion

K+
Na+

K+

Na+
+

Cl P-

Cl -

Na+ channel facilitated diffusion

When stimulated, the Na+ channels in the excitable membrane open and Na+ rushes in. Inside become momentarily positive relative to outside.

If Pk increases and the relative permeability

K : Na : Cl become 5 : 0.04 : 0.45 What will happen to Vm?
Vm = RT ln 5(20) + 0.04 (440) + 0.45(50) F 5(400) + 0.04(50) + 0.45(560) = -71 mV (closer to EK)

+55

ENa

Hyperpolarization

-60 -75 K+ + + ++ - - - -

-71

EK

Na+

K+

Na+

Ionic movement (K+) is driven by the chemical potential difference (but slightly opposed by the electric potential difference)

If PNa increases and the relative permeability

K : Na : Cl become 1 : 100 : 0.45 What will happen to Vm?
Vmi-o = RT ln 20 + 100 (440) + 0.45(50) F 400 + 100(50) + 0.45(560) Vmi-o = 52.6 mV (closer to ENa)

+55

ENa
+52.6

Depolarization

-60 -75

EK

Na+
K+

+ + ++ - - - Na+

K+

Ionic movement (Na+) is driven by both the chemical potential and electric potential differences.

Topics
1. Introduction 2. Energy and thermodynamics 3. Feeding and digestion 4. Ionic gradient, electrical potential

5. Electrical signals and neurons

6. Cytoskeletons, motor proteins and muscle

7. Heat production and body temperature

Learning = new information + new skills + new experience

Learning =making new connections between information, skills and experience

Learning = un-learn + re-learn

Topics
1. Introduction 2. Energy and thermodynamics 3. Feeding and digestion 4. Ionic gradient, electrical potential

5. Electrical signals and neurons

6. Cytoskeletons, motor proteins and muscle

7. Heat production and body temperature

Neurons or nerve cells

Nerve endings
Receptor cells Elaborated structures Function 1) differential sensitivity 2) transducer and power amplification

light

electrical

sound

Mechanical

electrical

chemical

electrical

How do we get proper sensation of the environment? Interpretation by the BRAIN

The posterior (back) of the frontal lobe consists of the premotor and motor areas. ... The parietal lobes contain the primary sensory cortex which deals with sensation.

How do we get proper sensation of the environment? Interpretation by the BRAIN

Do our receptors measure the absolute intensity of the stimuli ?! (like a thermometer ?! Like a pressure gauge ?!)

No !!!

Beware that there are 2 coding systems in the neural network

1) The intensity of the stimulus is coded in the magnitude of the electrical potential. E.g. receptor membrane, chemical synapses.
2) The intensity of the stimulus is coded in the frequency of the electrical signal produced. e.g. axon

Neurons or nerve cells

Receptor potential cannot be called action potential

Beware that there are 2 coding systems in the neural network

1) The intensity of the stimulus is coded in the magnitude of the electrical potential. E.g. receptor membrane, chemical synapses.
2) The intensity of the stimulus is coded in the frequency of the electrical signal produced. e.g. axon

Beware that there are 2 coding systems in the neural network

1) The intensity of the stimulus is coded in the magnitude of the electrical potential. E.g. receptor membrane, chemical synapses.

At the receptor membrane

1. There is no all or none phenomenon. 2. The receptor potential is non-self - generating. 3. It can spread (transmitted) only electrotonically (passively) to the spike - generating - zone of the neuron. 4. During such a spread, there is loss of magnitude of the voltage.

Neurons or nerve cells

Signal spread electrotonically

The Na+ channels in the receptor membrane open proportionally to the intensity of the stimulus. The signal generated is graded. There is no all or none. There is no threshold. There is no refractory period.

Neurons or nerve cells

How can intensity of stimuli be transmitted along the axon? What is the range of intensity of stimuli that our receptor cells are sensitive to?

Beware that there are 2 coding systems in the neural network

1) The intensity of the stimulus is coded in the magnitude of the electrical potential. E.g. receptor membrane, chemical synapses.
2) The intensity of the stimulus is coded in the frequency of the electrical signal produced. e.g. axon

Neurons (nerve cells)

(A nerve is a bundle of axons)

Ion channels in axons

Channel
Leak K+ channel (open in resting axon)

Characteristics
Produces relatively high Pk of resting cell

Function
Largely responsible for Vrest

Voltage-gated Na+ channel

Rapidly activated by depolarization; becomes inactivated even if Vm remains depolarize

Produces rising phase of action potential (Na+ influx)

Voltage-gated K+ channel

Activated by depolarization Carries current (K+ effux) but more slowly than Na+ channel; inactivated slowly and not completely if Vm remains depolarized that rapidly repolarizes the membrane to terminate the action potential

The Action Potential

Na+ enters cell through Na+ channel.

Model of the voltage gated Na+ Channel

(a)

Model of the voltage gated Na+ Channel

(b)

Model of the voltage gated Na+ Channel

(c)

Model of the voltage gated Na+ Channel

(d)

Model of the voltage gated Na+ Channel

(e)

Ions movement during the formation of action potential

Conduction of action potentials

(a)

Conduction of action potentials

(b)

Conduction of action potentials

(c)

 When the signal reaches the axon, the Na+ channels there open all at once after the membrane voltage reaches a threshold value.
The amplitude of the action potential generated is always the same, hence described as all or none response. Within one millisecond, the Na+ channels close and enters the refractive period for 1 - 2 milliseconds. K+ channels open up more than normal to bring the voltage back to resting.

The refractive property of the axon membrane ensures an one way traffic of neural signals.

Refractory periods

Model of the voltage gated Na+ Channel

(d)

Model of the voltage gated Na+ Channel

(e)

Summary video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCasruJT-DU

Watch out for the word diffusion which should be replaced with the word rush (electric or ionic current)

Because of the existence of the threshold phenomenon in the axon membrane, action potential is self - generating. There are 2 types of axon : 1) unmyelinated

2) myelinated

Action potential along an unmyelinated axon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbg5E9GCNVE

Is there any difference between axon and the electric cable? What are their differences and similarities?

rm re

good axon = rm
re

How to make the transmission of the signal along the axon more efficient?
a. b. Re (resistance of axoplasm) Rm (resistance of membrane)

Giant Squid Axon

650 m 25 m / sec

10 m

Frog sciatic nerve

25 m / sec

myelination

SALTATORY CONDUCTION (appear as though the action potential jumps from node to node which is not true)

m 7.9 cm Why not covering the whole length of the axon?

Saltatory Conduction in myelinated axon

Video on Schwann cells and transmission of neural signal along the axon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJe3_3XsBOg Transmission along an unmyelinated axon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbg5E9GCNVE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJe3_3XsBOg

Note: the word diffusion should be replaced with electrical current for Na+ movement within the axon

Electrotonic spread as a current; Decrease in amplitude

Action potential

Cannot be called action potential

Multiple sclerosis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgySDmRRzxY&feature=related

Neurons (nerve cells)

(A nerve is a bundle of axons)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXx9qlJetSU

Electrotonic spread as a current; Decrease in amplitude

Action potential

Cannot be called action potential

Postsynaptic potential is graded !! (not all or none).

Neural Zones

Figure 4.2

Alzheimer disease http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjgBnx1jVIU

End