The Nervous System
Action potentials
Jennifer Carbrey Ph.D.
Department of Cell Biology
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Understanding Action Potentials and their Role in the Nervous System, Study notes of Histology
An overview of action potentials, their causes, and the role they play in the communication within the nervous system. Topics covered include the differences between neurons and glial cells, the organization of the nervous system, and the methods of communication through action potentials. The document also discusses the process of depolarization and repolarization, the refractory period, and the unidirectional propagation of action potentials.
What you will learn
- What are the main differences between neurons and glial cells in the nervous system?
- What is the significance of the refractory period in the context of action potentials?
- How does the nervous system communicate using action potentials?
Typology: Study notes
2021/2022
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The Nervous System
Action potentials
Jennifer Carbrey Ph.D.
Department of Cell Biology
Cell types
neurons
glial cells
Methods of communication in
nervous system – action potentials
How the nervous system is organized
central vs. peripheral
Nervous System
Action Potentials
are rapid, “all or none” and do not decay over distances
stage
top image by image by Chris73 (modified), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Action_potential_%28no_labels%29.svg, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license bottom image by Rick Melges, Duke University
Action potentials move one-way along the axon because of the absolute refractory period of the voltage gated
Na+ channel.
Unidirectional Propagation of AP
image by Rick Melges, Duke University
Axon Initial Segment
Integration of signals at initial segment
image by Rick Melges, Duke University
Large diameter, myelinated axons transmit action potentials very rapidly. Voltage gated channels are concentrated at the nodes. Inactivation of voltage gated Na+ channels insures uni-directional propagation along the axon.
Saltatory Conduction
Na+
action potential
Node of
Ranvier
image by OCAL (modified), http://www.clker.com/clipart-9828.html, public domain