CHAPTER 8

NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
Section: Membrane potentials
 Membrane potentials
1. The resting membrane potential
2. The action membrane potential
Measuring resting membrane potential in
neurons
 The resting membrane potential
The potential recorded across a cell membrane (It is
the rest stage).
All cells have the resting membrane potential (Vr).
Vr: from -40 mV to -90 mV.
The minus sign indicates that the cytoplasmic side
(inside) of the membrane is negatively charged to the
outside.
 The basis of the RMP
Distribution of major ions across the plasma
membrane of a typical nerve cell
The basis of the RMP (Cont.)
The basis of the RMP (Cont.)
The basis of the RMP (Cont.)
 Measuring action membrane potential in
neurons

Neurons use change in

their membrane potential
as communication signals
for receiving, integrating,
and sending information.
Understanding of the action membrane
potential graph
The basis of the AMP
The basis of the AMP
The basis of the AMP (Cont.)
The basis of the AMP (Cont.)
Myelin axon
Action potential in (a) a myelinated and (b)
an unmyelinated axon
 CHAPTER 8

NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
Section: Neuron, Synapse
 Neurons and supporting cells
Nervous system is composed of only two principal
types of cells: neurons, supporting cells (neuroglia,
glial cells).
 Neurons: structure

(a) Motor neuron; (b) Sensory neuron

Types of neurons
Types of neurons (Cont.)
Types of neurons (Cont.)
Reflect arc
Reflect arc (Cont.)
The relationship between CNS and PNS
Supporting cells (Neuroglia cells)
Located at PNS and CNS
Supporting cells (Cont.)
The synapse
The synapse (Cont.)
The chemical synapse
The electrical synapse
Neurotransmitter
 Neurotransmitter: Monoamines
Dopamine, norepinephrine (noradrenalin), and epinephrine (adrenalin) are
derived from the amino acid tyrosine and placed in a subfamily of
monoamines called catecholamines.
 Take home messages
Describe the function of neurotransmitter