ACTION POTENTIAL

Dr. Niranjan Murthy

HL
Asst Prof of
Physiology
0
mV
-80 mV
 + + +
+
+
- - - +
-
+
-

- +

-80 mV
 [K+] = 2.5
[Na+] = 125
[Cl-] = 130
A-

+ + +
+
+
- - - +
-
+
-

- +

-
[K+] = 135
[Na+] = 7
[Cl-] = 11
-80 mV
A-
Resting membrane potential
• Difference in the electrical potential
between inside and outside of cell at
rest
• RMP of excitable tissues:
(i) Skeletal muscle: -90 mv
(ii) Smooth muscle: -40 to -60 mv
(iii) Cardiac muscle: -70 mv
(iv) Nerve fiber: -70 to -90 mv
Distribution of ions across cell
membrane

Values in mmol/L
 Ionic channels of concern
• Leaky
cationic &
anionic
channels
• Voltage
gated Na+
channel
• Voltage
gated K+
Donnan Effect
Equilibrium potential of-
sodium = +61 mv
Potassium = -94 mv
Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz
Equation
Measurement of membrane
potential
 Action potential
• A brief & propagative change in the
membrane potential after excitation
 Phases of Action Potential
1. Resting phase: Polarized state; -70 mv
2. Depolarization phase: membrane
becomes highly permeable to Na+
ions; membrane potential shoots
above zero
3. Repolarization phase: Na+ channels
close & K+ channels open; potential
falls back to resting levels
4. After depolarization phase: final 1/3rd
of repolarization; slow; 4 msec
5. After hyperpolarization phase: 1-2 mv
hyperpolarization; 35-40 msec
 Other terminologies
• Latent period

• Stimulus artifact

• Threshold or firing level

 Ionic basis of AP
1. Depolarization phase: It is due to
opening of voltage-gated Na+
channels and pouring in of Na+ ions
2. Repolarization phase: due to closure
of Na+ channels and opening of
voltage-gated K+ channels & efflux
of K+ ions
3. After depolarization: due to slow
efflux of K+ ions
4. After hyperpolarization: due to
delayed closure of voltage-gated K+
Voltage gated channels
 Changes in Na+ & K+
conductance during an AP
Cathode ray oscilloscope
Voltage clamp techniques
Biphasic Action Potential
Compound Action Potential
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