Physiology

Presentation
BY:
Asad Jahangir
(232)
 Depolarization phase of
Action Potential
 Quick review
 What are the charges across the cell membrane
in resting membrane potential state?

 What is a threshold stimulus?

 Where are Na and K ions higher in

concentration
 Role of Na leak Channels

 Permeability is very low. Na ions

diffuse very slowly

 If left unchecked then sodium ions will itself

depolarize the neuron by diffusing in and
destroy the resting membrane potential state.

 Solved by the application of Na/K ATPASE PUMP

Latent Period…….
 When stimulus is applied the permeability of Na leak
channels increases

 This causes more than normal movement of Na ions

inside the membrane

 The cell inside the membrane becomes more

positive

 If it is threshold stimulus then it raises the

membrane potential up to a threshold limit.
 Threshold Stimulus
 Na voltage gated channels are faster to
open than the K gated channels

 When stimulus reaches a threshold level there is

opening of both Na and K voltage gated channels

 The threshold level is 15 to 30mV more

positive then the resting membrane
potential. So for large nerve fibres it is
up to -65mV
• Voltage gated sodium channel has 2 gates

 Activation gate:
Near the outside of the cell membrane

 Deactivation gate:
Near the inside of the cell membrane
Closed gate of Channel Opening of the gate at
threshold

Na permeability increases to
5000 to 10000 fold
Inactivation of the sodium gate
Why is there inactivation of the
Sodium gates at the peak of
action potential……..?
 Electrochemical equilibrium

 Na ions are higher in concentration outside

the cell
 When they diffuse inward the positivity inside
the cell increases
 This causes an accumulation of positive
charge inside the cell
 The positive charges develop forces of
repulsion
 Now the electrical Gradient is causing the
ions to move outward

 The chemical or the concentration gradient is

causing the ions to move inward

 A stage reaches where the two effects

cancel each other and thus no net movement
of ions

 That point is called as electrochemical

equilibrium
 The potential at that point is called as Nernst
potential
 Role of Calcium channels

 Ca channels are permeable to calcium ions

and slightly permeable to Na ions

 Present in Cardiac and smooth muscle cells

 Serve along with Na channels or sometimes

instead of Na channels to cause the action
potential

 When they open both Na and Ca ions move

to the interior of the cell
Quick Summary
Any questions
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