To review:
The mechanism by, which an activity is generated by the graded membrane potentials inside a neuron’s axon, helping it to assimilate information received from several dendrites.
Introduction:
The muscles and the neurons generally work by all or none principle, i.e., their response to stimulus is independent of its strength. A muscle or neuron responds to stimulus only when a particular threshold is crossed by it. Once, a threshold is crossed, the action potential is generated irrespective of the strong or the weak stimulus.
The graded potential, however are generated by the individual actions of the channel proteins that are ligand-gated. The graded membrane potentials fade away with time and distance. The strength of the graded membrane potential depends upon the stimulus’ strength.
Want to see the full answer?
Check out a sample textbook solutionChapter 44 Solutions
Life: The Science of Biology
- Many neurons have only a single axon, but many terminals at the end of the axon. How does this end structure of the axon support its function?arrow_forwardHow does myelin aid propagation of an action potential along an axon? How do the nodes of Ranvier help this process?arrow_forwardIn myelinated axons where are the most Na+ channels found?arrow_forward
- Neurons, particularly those in the brain, receive multiple excitatory and inhibitory signals. What is the name of the extension of the neuron at which such signals are received? How does the neuron integrate these signals to determine whether or not to generate an action potential?arrow_forwardIf the plasma membrane of an electrically excitable cellwere depolarized to threshold in the center of the axon orsarcolemma, would the action potential be propagated inonly one direction? Why or why not?arrow_forwardWhy does neuronal function require the voltage-gated K+ channels to open moreslowly than the voltage-gated Na+ channels and how would you expect the voltage-gated K+ channels to affect the shape of an action potential curve?arrow_forward
- What causes depolarization of a neuron membrane potential?arrow_forwardHow much of a change in the membrane potential is necessary for the summation of postsynaptic potentials to result in an action potential being generated?arrow_forwardWhat effect would you expect an antagonist that targets the voltage sensing domain of perisynaptic calcium channels of an inhibitory interneuron have on the firing frequency of a finically active neuron that interneuron synapses onto? Explain in detailsarrow_forward
- Unmyelinated axons conduct action potentials without decrement, but when myelinated axons lose myelin in demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis, conduction of action potentials is blocked. Why?arrow_forwardHow do depolarize, repolarize, and hyperpolarize describe the direction of changes in the membrane potential relative to the resting potential in an excitable cell?arrow_forward
- Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap ...BiologyISBN:9781285866932Author:Lauralee SherwoodPublisher:Cengage Learning