Membrane Potentials As Signals

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Membrane Potentials As Signals Membrane Potentials as Signals The membrane potential allows a cell to function as a battery, providing electrical power to activities within the cell and between cells. KEY POINTS A membrane potential is the difference in electrical potential between the interior and the exterior of a biological cell. In electrically excitable cells, changes in membrane potential are used for transmitting signals within the cell. The opening and closing of ion channels can induce changes from the resting potential. Depolarization is when the interior voltage becomes more positive and hyperpolarization when it becomes more negative. TERMS Graded potentials Graded potentials vary in size and arise from the summation of the individual actions of ligand- gated ion channel proteins, and decrease over time and space. Depolarization Depolarization is a change in a cell's membrane potential, making it more positive, or less negative, and may result in generation of an action potential. Action potential A short term change in the electrical potential that travels along a cell such as a nerve or muscle fiber. EXAMPLE In neurons, a sufficiently large depolarization can evoke an action potential in which the membrane potential changes rapidly. Give us feedback on this content: Membrane potential (also transmembrane potential or membrane voltage) is the difference in electrical potential between the interior and the exterior of a biological cell. All animal cells are surrounded by a plasma membrane composed of a lipid bilayer with a variety of types of proteins embedded in it. The membrane serves as both an insulator and a diffusion barrier to the movement of ions. Ion transporter/pump proteins actively push ions across the membrane to establish concentration gradients across the membrane, and ion channels allow ions to move across the membrane down those concentration gradients, a process known as facilitated diffusion. Virtually all eukaryotic cells (including cells from animals, plants, and fungi) maintain a nonzero transmembrane potential, usually with a negative voltage in the cell interior as compared to the cell exterior. The membrane potential has two basic functions. First, it allows a cell to function as a battery, providing power to operate a variety of "molecular devices" embedded in the membrane. Second, in electrically excitable cells such as neurons and muscle cells, it is used for transmitting signals between different parts of a cell. Signals are generated by opening or closing of ion channels at one point in the membrane, producing a local change in the membrane potential that causes electric current to flow rapidly to other points in the membrane. In non-excitable cells, and in excitable cells in their baseline states, the membrane potential is held at a relatively stable value, called the resting potential. For neurons, typical values of the resting potential range from –70 to –80 millivolts; that is, the interior of a cell has a negative baseline voltage of a bit less than one tenth of a volt. The opening and closing of ion channels can induce a departure from the resting potential. This is called a depolarization if the interior voltage becomes more positive (say from –70 mV to –60 mV), or a hyperpolarization if the interior voltage becomes more negative (say from –70 mV to –80 mV). The changes in membrane potential can be small or larger (graded potentials) depending on how many ion channels are activated and what type they are. In excitable cells, a sufficiently large depolarization can evoke an action potential , in which the membrane potential changes rapidly and significantly for a short time (on the order of 1 to 100 milliseconds), often reversing its polarity. Action potentials are generated by the activation of certain voltage-gated ion channels. Action potential A. Schematic and B. actual action potential recordings. The action potential is a clear example of how changes in membrane potential can act as a signal. .
Recommended publications
  • Glossary - Cellbiology
    1 Glossary - Cellbiology Blotting: (Blot Analysis) Widely used biochemical technique for detecting the presence of specific macromolecules (proteins, mRNAs, or DNA sequences) in a mixture. A sample first is separated on an agarose or polyacrylamide gel usually under denaturing conditions; the separated components are transferred (blotting) to a nitrocellulose sheet, which is exposed to a radiolabeled molecule that specifically binds to the macromolecule of interest, and then subjected to autoradiography. Northern B.: mRNAs are detected with a complementary DNA; Southern B.: DNA restriction fragments are detected with complementary nucleotide sequences; Western B.: Proteins are detected by specific antibodies. Cell: The fundamental unit of living organisms. Cells are bounded by a lipid-containing plasma membrane, containing the central nucleus, and the cytoplasm. Cells are generally capable of independent reproduction. More complex cells like Eukaryotes have various compartments (organelles) where special tasks essential for the survival of the cell take place. Cytoplasm: Viscous contents of a cell that are contained within the plasma membrane but, in eukaryotic cells, outside the nucleus. The part of the cytoplasm not contained in any organelle is called the Cytosol. Cytoskeleton: (Gk. ) Three dimensional network of fibrous elements, allowing precisely regulated movements of cell parts, transport organelles, and help to maintain a cell’s shape. • Actin filament: (Microfilaments) Ubiquitous eukaryotic cytoskeletal proteins (one end is attached to the cell-cortex) of two “twisted“ actin monomers; are important in the structural support and movement of cells. Each actin filament (F-actin) consists of two strands of globular subunits (G-Actin) wrapped around each other to form a polarized unit (high ionic cytoplasm lead to the formation of AF, whereas low ion-concentration disassembles AF).
    [Show full text]
  • Biopsychology 2012 – Sec 003 (Dr
    Biopsychology 2012 – sec 003 (Dr. Campeau) Study Guide for First Midterm What are some fun facts about the human brain? - there are approximately 100 billion neurons in the brain; - each neuron makes between 1000 to 10000 connections with other neurons; - speed of action potentials varies from less than 1 mph and up to 100 mph. What is a neuron? A very specialized cell type whose function is to receive, process, and send information; these cells are found in the central nervous system (CNS – brain, spinal cord, retina) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS – the rest of the body). What is a nerve? They are axons of individual neurons in bundles or strands of many axons. What are the major parts of a neuron? - cell membrane: “skin” of the neuron; - cytoplasm: everything inside the skin; - nucleus: contains chromosomes (DNA); - ribosomes: generate proteins from mRNA; - mitochondria: energy “generator” of cells (produce ATP); - mitochondria: moves “stuff” inside the neuron (like a tow rope); - soma: cell body, excluding dendrites and axons; - dendrites and spines: part of the neuron usually receiving information from other neurons; - axons: part of the neuron that transmits information to other neurons; - myelin sheath: surrounds axons and provides electrical “insulation”; - nodes of Ranvier: small area on axons devoid of myelin sheath; - presynaptic terminal: area of neuron where neurotransmitter is stored and released by action potentials. What are the different neuron types according to function? 1. Sensory neurons: neurons specialized to “receive” information about the environment. 2. Motor neurons: neurons specialized to produce movement (contraction of muscles). 3. Interneurons or Intrinsic neurons: neurons, usually with short axons, that handle local information.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 1 Zoom in On… Patch Configurations in the Jargon of Electrophysiologists, a Patch Is a Piece of Neuronal Membrane
    CELLULAR NEUROPHYSIOLOGY CONSTANCE HAMMOND Chapter 1 Zoom in on… Patch configurations In the jargon of electrophysiologists, a patch is a piece of neuronal membrane. Researchers invented a technique known as a patch-clamp, which records the current through a single ion channel, some ion channels or through all open ion channels in the neuron membrane. To obtain these recordings, researchers use different patch configurations. We'll explain here only the three configurations used in the course: the cell-attached configuration, the whole-cell configuration, and the "outside-out" excised patch configuration. According to the type of recording to perform, a particular type of configuration will be chosen: 1. to record a unitary current: cell-attached or outside-out configuration; 2. to record a total current: whole-cell configuration; 3. to record changes in membrane potential (action potentials or postsynaptic potentials): whole-cell configuration. The cell-attached configuration (attached to the pipette - Figure a) First, the pipette is filled with an extracellular fluid. Positive pressure is applied in the electrode by means of a syringe connected to the electrode, so that the intrapipette fluid tends to leave the pipette. The electrode is then brought near to the soma of a neuron. When the electrode touches the membrane, the positive pressure is withdrawn to draw the membrane toward the mouth of the pipette. We wait without moving the pipette; a seal is made between the walls of the pipette and the soma membrane. This seal strength can be measured by applying a low level of amplitude current in the pipette. Since V = RI, one can measure the resistance of the seal.
    [Show full text]
  • Interplay Between Gating and Block of Ligand-Gated Ion Channels
    brain sciences Review Interplay between Gating and Block of Ligand-Gated Ion Channels Matthew B. Phillips 1,2, Aparna Nigam 1 and Jon W. Johnson 1,2,* 1 Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA; [email protected] (M.B.P.); [email protected] (A.N.) 2 Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +1-(412)-624-4295 Received: 27 October 2020; Accepted: 26 November 2020; Published: 1 December 2020 Abstract: Drugs that inhibit ion channel function by binding in the channel and preventing current flow, known as channel blockers, can be used as powerful tools for analysis of channel properties. Channel blockers are used to probe both the sophisticated structure and basic biophysical properties of ion channels. Gating, the mechanism that controls the opening and closing of ion channels, can be profoundly influenced by channel blocking drugs. Channel block and gating are reciprocally connected; gating controls access of channel blockers to their binding sites, and channel-blocking drugs can have profound and diverse effects on the rates of gating transitions and on the stability of channel open and closed states. This review synthesizes knowledge of the inherent intertwining of block and gating of excitatory ligand-gated ion channels, with a focus on the utility of channel blockers as analytic probes of ionotropic glutamate receptor channel function. Keywords: ligand-gated ion channel; channel block; channel gating; nicotinic acetylcholine receptor; ionotropic glutamate receptor; AMPA receptor; kainate receptor; NMDA receptor 1. Introduction Neuronal information processing depends on the distribution and properties of the ion channels found in neuronal membranes.
    [Show full text]
  • Nernst Potentials and Membrane Potential Changes
    UNDERSTANDING MEMBRANE POTENTIAL CHANGES IN TERMS OF NERNST POTENTIALS: For seeing how a change in conductance to ions affects the membrane potential, follow these steps: 1. Make a graph with membrane potential on the vertical axis (-100 to +55) and time on the horizontal axis. 2. Draw dashed lines indicating the standard Nernst potential (equilibrium potential) for each ion: Na+ = +55 mV, K+ = -90mV, Cl- = -65 mV. 3. Draw lines below the horizontal axis showing the increased conductance to individual ions. 4. Start plotting the membrane potential on the left. Most graphs will start at resting potential (-70 mV) 5. When current injection (Stim) is present, move the membrane potential upward to Firing threshold. 6. For the time during which membrane conductance to a particular ion increases, move the membrane potential toward the Nernst potential for that ion. 7. During the time when conductance to a particular ion decreases, move the membrane potential away from the Nernst potential of that ion, toward a position which averages the conductances of the other ions. 8. When conductances return to their original value, membrane potential will go to its starting value. +55mV ACTION POTENTIAL SYNAPTIC POTENTIALS 0mV Membrane potential Firing threshold Firing threshold -65mV -90mV Time Time Na+ K+ Conductances Stim CHANGES IN MEMBRANE POTENTIAL ALLOW NEURONS TO COMMUNICATE The membrane potential of a neuron can be measured with an intracellular electrode. This 1 provides a measurement of the voltage difference between the inside of the cell and the outside. When there is no external input, the membrane potential will usually remain at a value called the resting potential.
    [Show full text]
  • Neurotransmitter Actions
    Central University of South Bihar Panchanpur, Gaya, India E-Learning Resources Department of Biotechnology NB: These materials are taken/borrowed/modified/compiled from various resources like research articles and freely available internet websites, and are meant to be used solely for the teaching purpose in a public university, and for serving the needs of specified educational programmes. Dr. Jawaid Ahsan Assistant Professor Department of Biotechnology Central University of South Bihar (CUSB) Course Code: MSBTN2003E04 Course Name: Neuroscience Neurotransmitter Actions • Excitatory Action: – A neurotransmitter that puts a neuron closer to an action potential (facilitation) or causes an action potential • Inhibitory Action: – A neurotransmitter that moves a neuron further away from an action potential • Response of neuron: – Responds according to the sum of all the neurotransmitters received at one time Neurotransmitters • Acetylcholine • Monoamines – modified amino acids • Amino acids • Neuropeptides- short chains of amino acids • Depression: – Caused by the imbalances of neurotransmitters • Many drugs imitate neurotransmitters – Ex: Prozac, zoloft, alcohol, drugs, tobacco Release of Neurotransmitters • When an action potential reaches the end of an axon, Ca+ channels in the neuron open • Causes Ca+ to rush in – Cause the synaptic vesicles to fuse with the cell membrane – Release the neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft • After binding, neurotransmitters will either: – Be destroyed in the synaptic cleft OR – Taken back in to surrounding neurons (reuptake) Excitable cells: Definition: Refers to the ability of some cells to be electrically excited resulting in the generation of action potentials. Neurons, muscle cells (skeletal, cardiac, and smooth), and some endocrine cells (e.g., insulin- releasing pancreatic β cells) are excitable cells.
    [Show full text]
  • Effect of Hyperkalemia on Membrane Potential: Depolarization
    ❖ CASE 3 A 6-year-old boy is brought to the family physician after his parents noticed that he had difficulty moving his arms and legs after a soccer game. About 10 minutes after leaving the field, the boy became so weak that he could not stand for about 30 minutes. Questioning revealed that he had complained of weakness after eating bananas, had frequent muscle spasms, and occasionally had myotonia, which was expressed as difficulty in releasing his grip or diffi- culty opening his eyes after squinting into the sun. After a thorough physical examination, the boy was diagnosed with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis. The family was advised to feed the boy carbohydrate-rich, low-potassium foods, give him glucose-containing drinks during attacks, and have him avoid strenuous exercise and fasting. ◆ What is the effect of hyperkalemia on cell membrane potential? ◆ What is responsible for the repolarizing phase of an action potential? ◆ What is the effect of prolonged depolarization on the skeletal muscle Na+ channel? 32 CASE FILES: PHYSIOLOGY ANSWERS TO CASE 3: ACTION POTENTIAL Summary: A 6-year-old boy who experiences profound weakness after exer- cise is diagnosed with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis. ◆ Effect of hyperkalemia on membrane potential: Depolarization. ◆ Repolarization mechanisms: Activation of voltage-gated K+ conductance and inactivation of Na+ conductance. ◆ Effect of prolonged depolarization: Inactivation of Na+ channels. CLINICAL CORRELATION Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HyperPP) is a dominant inherited trait caused by a mutation in the α subunit of the skeletal muscle Na+ channel. It occurs in approximately 1 in 100,000 people and is more common and more severe in males.
    [Show full text]
  • Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Signaling in Neuroprotection
    Akinori Akaike · Shun Shimohama Yoshimi Misu Editors Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Signaling in Neuroprotection Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Signaling in Neuroprotection Akinori Akaike • Shun Shimohama Yoshimi Misu Editors Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Signaling in Neuroprotection Editors Akinori Akaike Shun Shimohama Department of Pharmacology, Graduate Department of Neurology, School of School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Medicine Kyoto University Sapporo Medical University Kyoto, Japan Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan Wakayama Medical University Wakayama, Japan Yoshimi Misu Graduate School of Medicine Yokohama City University Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan ISBN 978-981-10-8487-4 ISBN 978-981-10-8488-1 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8488-1 Library of Congress Control Number: 2018936753 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2018. This book is an open access publication. Open Access This book is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this book are included in the book’s Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the book’s Creative Commons license and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc.
    [Show full text]
  • Information Processing in the Axon Dominique Debanne
    Information processing in the axon Dominique Debanne To cite this version: Dominique Debanne. Information processing in the axon. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, Nature Publishing Group, 2004, 5 (4), pp.304-316. 10.1038/nrn1397. hal-01766862 HAL Id: hal-01766862 https://hal-amu.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01766862 Submitted on 27 Aug 2018 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. INFORMATION PROCESSING IN THE AXON Dominique Debanne Axons link distant brain regions and are generally regarded as reliable transmission cables in which stable propagation occurs once an action potential has been generated. However, recent experimental and theoretical data indicate that the functional capabilities of axons are much more diverse than traditionally thought. Beyond axonal propagation, intrinsic voltage-gated conductances together with the intrinsic geometrical properties of the axon determine complex phenomena such as branch-point failures and reflected propagation. This review considers recent evidence for the role of these forms of axonal computation in the short-term dynamics of neural communication. GAP JUNCTIONS Since the pioneering work of Santiago Ramón y Cajal, of propagation and how intrinsic channels that are Morphological equivalent of the axon has been defined as a long neuronal process present in the axon shape the action potential.
    [Show full text]
  • Electrical Activity of the Heart: Action Potential, Automaticity, and Conduction 1 & 2 Clive M
    Electrical Activity of the Heart: Action Potential, Automaticity, and Conduction 1 & 2 Clive M. Baumgarten, Ph.D. OBJECTIVES: 1. Describe the basic characteristics of cardiac electrical activity and the spread of the action potential through the heart 2. Compare the characteristics of action potentials in different parts of the heart 3. Describe how serum K modulates resting potential 4. Describe the ionic basis for the cardiac action potential and changes in ion currents during each phase of the action potential 5. Identify differences in electrical activity across the tissues of the heart 6. Describe the basis for normal automaticity 7. Describe the basis for excitability 8. Describe the basis for conduction of the cardiac action potential 9. Describe how the responsiveness relationship and the Na+ channel cycle modulate cardiac electrical activity I. BASIC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS OF CARDIAC MUSCLE A. Electrical activity is myogenic, i.e., it originates in the heart. The heart is an electrical syncitium (i.e., behaves as if one cell). The action potential spreads from cell-to-cell initiating contraction. Cardiac electrical activity is modulated by the autonomic nervous system. B. Cardiac cells are electrically coupled by low resistance conducting pathways gap junctions located at the intercalated disc, at the ends of cells, and at nexus, points of side-to-side contact. The low resistance pathways (wide channels) are formed by connexins. Connexins permit the flow of current and the spread of the action potential from cell-to-cell. C. Action potentials are much longer in duration in cardiac muscle (up to 400 msec) than in nerve or skeletal muscle (~5 msec).
    [Show full text]
  • The Excitable Cell. Resting Membrane Potential and Action Potential (1&2)
    The excitable cell. Resting Membrane Potential and Action Potential (1&2) Dr Sergey Kasparov School of Medical Sciences, Room E9 THIS TOPIC IS ALSO COVERED IN TUTORIALS! Teaching home page: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/phys-pharm/media/teaching/ Why do we call these cells “excitable”? Real action potentials.avi The key point: Bioelectricity is generated by the ions moving across cellular membranes Concentration of selected solutes in intracellular fluid and extracellular fluid in millimols mM 160 140 120 100 Insi de the cell 80 60 In extracellular fluid 40 20 0 1 The Na+/K+ pump outside inside [[mMmM]] + + [[mMmM]] + + + + + + + Na 145 + + 15 + K 4 + + 140 ATPATP ••isis an active ion transporter (ATP‐dependent) ••isis responsible for creating and upholding Na+ and K+ concentration gradients ••isis electrogenic – pumps 3 Na+ versus 2 K+ ions Reminder: Movement of ions is affected by concentration gradient and the electrical field Chemical driving force _ _ + + _ + + Electrical driving force _ + + _ + + + _+ _ + _ + + + + _ + _ + _ + + _ Net flux + + + + _ + _ + + V REMINDER: Diffusion through Ion Channels A leak channel A gated channel Both leak and gated channels allow movement of molecules (mainly inorganic ions) down the electrochemical gradient. So, if the gradient reverses, the ions will flow in the opposite direction. 1. The channels are aqueous pores through the membrane. 2. The channels are usually quite selective, for example some only pass Na+, others K+, still others – Cl- 3. Gated channels may be opened or closed by various factors
    [Show full text]
  • 9.01 Introduction to Neuroscience Fall 2007
    MIT OpenCourseWare http://ocw.mit.edu 9.01 Introduction to Neuroscience Fall 2007 For information about citing these materials or our Terms of Use, visit: http://ocw.mit.edu/terms. 9.01 Recitation (R02) RECITATION #2: Tuesday, September 18th Review of Lectures: 3, 4 Reading: Chapters 3, 4 or Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain (3rd edition) Outline of Recitation: I. Previous Recitation: a. Questions on practice exam questions from last recitation? II. Review of Material: a. Exploiting Axoplasmic Transport b. Types of Glia c. THE RESTING MEMBRANE POTENTIAL d. THE ACTION POTENTIAL III. Practice Exam Questions IV. Questions on Pset? Exploiting Axoplasmic Transport: Maps connections of the brain Rates of transport: - slow: - fast: Examples: Uses anterograde transport: - Uses retrograde transport: - - - Types of Glia: - Microglia: - Astrocytes: - Myelinating Glia: 1 THE RESTING MEMBRANE POTENTIAL: The Cast of Chemicals: The Movement of Ions: ­ Influences by two factors: (1) Diffusion: (2) Electricity: Ohm’s Law: I = gV Ionic Equilibrium Potentials (EION): + Example: ENs * diffusional and electrical forces are equal 2 Nernst Equation: EION = 2.303 RT/zF log [ion]0/[ion]i Calculates equilibrium potential for a SINGLE ion. Inside Outside EION (at 37°C) + [K ] + [Na ] 2+ [Ca ] ­ [Cl ] *Pumps maintain concentration gradients (ex. sodium­potassium pump; calcium pump) Resting Membrane Potential (VM at rest): Measured resting membrane potential: ­ 65 mV Goldman Equation: + + + + VM = 61.54 mV log (PK[K ]o + PNa[Na ]o)/ (PK[K ]I + PNa[Na ]i) + + Calculates membrane potential when permeable to both Na and K . Remember: at REST, gK >>> gNa therefore, VM is closer to EK THE ACTION POTENTIAL (Nerve Impulse): Phases of an Action Potential: Vm (mV) ENa 0 EK Time 3 Conductance of Ion Channels during AP: Remember: Changes in conductance, or permeability of the membrane to a specific ion, changes the membrane potential.
    [Show full text]