What is passive conduction?

Propagation of action potential in both directions along an axon without the

aid of any voltage-gated ion channels.

What happens to action potential as it passively travels down the

axon?
The action potential wanes as it travels along the length of an axon

What are 2 factors that AFFECT passive conduction?

2 factors that affect passive conduction of action potential:
1. Diameter of an Axon (larger nerves carry more current flow)
2. Myelination of Axon

What is internal resistance (RI)? WHAT DOES IT depend on?

Internal resistance is the amount of substance or things inside the cell that
causes a drop in voltage
Internal resistance depends on how many things are in the cell (proteins,
ions etc.) and the diameter of the axon (the bigger the axon, the less
resistance it has)

Explain how an increase in axon diameter favors an increase in

the propagation of action potential?
An increase in the diameter of an axon is followed with an increase in the
amount of a space available for current to flow.

What are the 2 functions of myelin?

Myelin:
(1) Increases the length constant ()
(2) Decreases the time constant ()

What is the length constant?

It describes the distance an action potential travels along an axon via
passive conduction.

How do we find the length constant?

( RM / RI )

Where,

(lamba) is the length constant

(The greater the value, the farther away the action

potential will travel)

RM is the membrane resistance

RI is the internal resistance
What is membrane resistance (RM)?
Membrane Resistance is the force that impedes the flow of electric current
from outside of the membrane to the inside, and vice versa

What does an increase in membrane resistance (RM) mean?

An increase in membrane resistance means that it is less likely that charge
will escape from the cell.

What occurs to the length constant with an increase in membrane

resistance (RM)?
RM

means action potential travels further away from the point of

stimulation.

What is the time constant?

The time constant is the time it takes to change the membrane voltage at
point of simulation.

How do we find the time constant?

=RM C M
Where,

(tau) is the time constant in seconds

(The lesser the value, the shorter the time to generate
action potential)

RM is the membrane resistance

CM is the capacitance of neuron
membrane

Define the capacitance of neuron membrane?

The capacitance of neuron membrane is the ability of the neuron membrane
to store an electrical charge.

If the capacitance of neuron membrane decreases, what happens

to the cell?
C M

= more things can enter the cell.

Explain how myelin affects the length constant?

Myelin increases the RM with every layer of myelin sheath added;

Decreases leakage of current flow: RM

, .

How can the length constant be further increased aside from

myelin?
Increasing the diameter of the axon will
which also

RI (the amount of things in the cell)

Explain how myelin affects the time constant?

Myelin is added to the axon in series, thus decreasing CM as capacitors are
added.

Explain how an increase in the length constant enhances spatial

summation.
If many points on the axon are stimulated, there will be a summation that
travels down the length of axon without decay.

Explain how an increase in time constant affects temporal

summation.
If point of stimulation has multiple neurons innerving it, the longer to
stimulate and change the membrane potential, the longer the summation of
action potentials take.

What causes of multiple sclerosis?

Myelin destruction in CNS;
Reduces action potential conductance.
Lack of myelin

the time constant and

the length constant.

What are some signs of multiple sclerosis?

Sensory and motor problems.

What is active conduction?

Propagation of action potential along an axon via voltage-gated ion channels.

What advantage does active conduction provides the cell?

Action potential propagates along an axon without decay or loss of signal
intensity.

What 2 ions are involved in the propagation of action potential?

Na+ and K+

Where are voltage-gated sodium channels located oN

UNMYLIENATED AXONS?
Voltage-gated Na+ channels are located along axonal membrane

Describe the propagation of action potential along unmyelinated

axons.
Stimulation of a neuron produces an action potential; Na+ channels open
Depolarization cause nearby Na+ channels to open via Hodgkin cycle.
Process repeats until action potential arrives at axon terminal

What is orthodromic conduction?

The unidirectional movement of an action potential down an axon.
(Action potential does not move backward)

Which ion channel ensures orthodromic conduction?

Voltage-gated Na+ channels.

Where are voltage-gated sodium channels located IN MYLIENATED

AXONS?
Voltage-gated Na+ channels are located at the Nodes of Ranvier

How is the action potential spread along myelinated regions?

Action potential travels myelinated regions via passive conduction.

What is saltatory conduction?

The jumping of action potential from node to node.

What happens to action potential at axon terminal?

Electrical message is translated into a chemical message (neurotransmitter)

How is neurotransmitter transported to post-synaptic neuron?

Via a vesicle

What is vesicle fusion?

Fusion of vesicle carrying neurotransmitter with cell membrane of postsynaptic neuron

What are snare proteins?

Proteins that mediate vesicle fusion of neurotransmitter (from pre-synaptic
cell) and post-synaptic cell

What are the 3 snare proteins?

Synaptobrevin (on vesicle)

SNAP 25 (on post -synaptic cell)
Syntaxin (on post-synaptic cell)
What are the 2 protein spindles found on the vesicle?
Synaptobrevin & Synaptotagmin
What are the 2 protein spindles found on post-synaptic neuron?
SNAP 25 & Syntaxin
What is priming?
Ensnaring of SNARE PROTEINS (SYNAPTOBREVIN from vesicle with SNAP 25 &
Syntaxin) preparing for vesicle fusion.

What does the action potential cause at the axon terminal?

Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels open, releasing calcium ions.

What does the release of calcium ion produce?

Calcium ions binds to SYNAPTOTAGMIN found on vesicle, and clamps
vesicle to post-synaptic cell; vesicle fusion then occurs.

What causes Lambert-eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS)?

Autoimmune antibodies attack voltage-gated Ca2+ channels at
neuromuscular junction (neurons and skeletal muscle)

What are the signs for Lambert-eaton myasthenic syndrome

(LEMS)?
Muscle weakness at the limbs.

What causes Botulism?

Botulinum toxin produced by Clostridium Botulinum.
PREVENTS release of neurotransmitter acetylcholine; cleaves any one of
SNARE PROTEINS in motor neurons.

What are the signs for Botulism?

Skeletal muscle weakness; paralysis.

What causes Tetanus?

Tetanus toxin produced by Clostridium Tetani.
Blocks release of IPSP neurotransmitter in spinal cord; cleaves
SYNAPTOBREVIN.

What causes Parkisons disease?

Loss of IPSP