Component 3: A Level Biology

Nerve impulse

A nerve impulse is caused by Na+ and K+ ions Charge difference is measured using an oscilloscope, All or Nothing Law
moving across the neurone membrane. This causes which produces the trace below as an action potential
a potential difference in charge between the inside passes the electrodes. If the stimulus is below threshold (Y), no action potential takes place
and the outside of the membrane. (I – IV). If the stimulus is above threshold, a whole action potential
takes place (V).
Cathode ray
oscilloscope
Microelectrode stimulation of
X
Pressure the axon
Resting potential
Axon time/msec
• The neurone is not transmitting an impulse.
Pacinian Myelin
• The membrane is polarised at -70mV.
corpuscle sheath
• The axoplasm is more negative than the outside Y
of the cell. Z

• Na+ channels are closed, K+ channels are leaky. I II III IV V

• A Na /K pump uses ATP to move 3Na out of
+ + + +40
+30
the axoplasm and 2K+ in. +20
+10
• K+ diffuses out but Na+ can’t diffuse in causing a 0
charge difference. -10
-20
Membrane -30
potential / mV -40
-50 Transmission
-60
-70
-80 The action potential is transmitted along a neurone when the
Action potential -90 depolarisation of the membrane sets up a local circuit with the next
0 1 2 3 4 5 section. Transmission is in one direction, as during repolarisation
• A stimulus above threshold causes Na+ channels Time / milliseconds the membrane cannot form an action potential. This is called the
to open. refractory period.
• Na+ ions diffuse into the axon rapidly.
• The membrane depolarises to +40mV.
Axon membrane Transmission speed is increased by:
Schwann cell nucleus
• Larger axon diameters providing less
resistance.
Repolarisation Myelin • Higher temperatures increasing rate of
diffusion.
• Na+ channels close and K+ channels open. Axoplasm • Myelin sheaths mean depolarisations only
• K diffuse out rapidly.
+
happen at nodes of Ranvier. The local
circuits are longer. The action potentials
• Overshoot causes hyperpolarisation.
500nm ‘jump’ from one node to the next. This is
• Resting potential is restored. Na+/K+ pump Na+ channel K+ channel saltatory conduction.