Question

What is the difference between ion and flow and cellular response when an action potential is heading down an axon and when an action potential is about to reach synaptic potential?

Answer 1

Solution: Action potential generates from axon hillock. The generation of an action potential is associated with the opening and closure of several different types of Na+ and K+ channels. A cell which is not evoked is generally in its resting condition and the membrane potential is around -70mV which is the resting membrane potential. During a signal, suppose it is a touch, this activates several touch sensitive Na+ channels. Opening of these channels increases the membrane potential into higher level these increased membrane potential opens voltage sensitive Na+ and K+ Channels. Opening of voltage sensitive channels heavily depolarizes the membrane by incrasing the membrane potential to +20mV. This induces the movement of siganl through the neuronal membrane which ultimately leads to the release of neurotransimmiters into the synaptic cleft and the signal continues.