Action Potential | Graded Potentials
Dr Matt & Dr Mike・2 minutes read
Neurons and copper wires transmit signals differently: neurons use ions and action potentials, while copper wires pass electrons. Dr. Mike Tadarovich explains how ions like sodium and potassium create charge differences in neurons, triggering signals through excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters like glutamate and GABA.
Insights
- Neurons and copper wires transmit signals differently: while copper wires use electrons, neurons utilize ions like sodium and potassium in an action potential process.
- Excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and GABA, play crucial roles in altering a neuron's charge, either making it more positive or negative, thus influencing signal transmission.
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Recent questions
How do neurons transmit signals?
Neurons transmit signals using positive or negative ions in a domino-like action potential.
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Summary
00:00
"Neurons vs. Copper: Signal Transmission Differences"
- Neurons and copper wires differ in how they transmit signals: copper wires pass electrons down, while neurons use positive or negative ions in a domino-like action potential.
- Dr. Mike Tadarovich introduces action potentials, focusing on a neuron's structure and the various channels involved.
- Ions, like sodium and potassium, are distributed differently inside and outside neurons, creating a charge difference.
- Sodium and potassium ions diffuse through specific channels, affecting the neuron's charge and creating a resting membrane potential of around -70 millivolts.
- Neurons can be triggered to send signals through excitatory or inhibitory neurotransmitters like glutamate and GABA, respectively.
- Excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate bind to specific receptors, allowing sodium or calcium to enter and make the neuron more positive.
- Inhibitory neurotransmitters like GABA open potassium or chloride channels, making the neuron more negative and preventing signal transmission.
- An action potential is triggered when the neuron reaches -55 millivolts, opening voltage-gated sodium channels and causing a domino effect of positive charge influx.
- The action potential leads to depolarization, reaching around +30 millivolts, before repolarization occurs as potassium exits, returning the neuron to its resting state.
