Action Potential
Types of Gating Mechanisms
• Channels use specific "sensors" to determine when to open or close:
1. Voltage-Gated Channels:
• Responds to changes in the membrane potential.
• Eg: The Na+ channel activation gate in neurons opens during
depolarization, creating the upstroke of an action potential.
Types of Gating Mechanisms contd”
2. Second Messenger–Gated Channels (metabotropic receptors):
• Located on the intracellular side; responds to internal signaling
molecules (e.g., cAMP, IP3).
• Eg: Na+ channels in the cardiac sinoatrial (SA) node open when
intracellular cAMP levels increase.
Types of Gating Mechanisms contd”
3. Ligand-Gated Channels (Ionotropic receptors):
• Located on the ECF side; responds to hormones or neurotransmitters.
• Eg: The nicotinic receptor at the neuromuscular junction opens
when acetylcholine (ACh) binds to it, allowing both Na+ and K+ to pass.
Types of Gating Mechanisms contd”
4. Mechanically-Gated Ion Channels
• These channels respond to physical deformation of the cell membrane,
such as stretching, pressure, or vibration.
• Mechanical force is transmitted to the channel through the cytoskeleton or the
lipid bilayer itself, pulling the gate open.
• Eg: Sensory receptors in the skin (touch) & hair cells in the inner ear
(hearing), Baroreceptors (blood pressure), etc.
Types of Gating Mechanisms contd”
5. Leak Channels
• They allow for the slow, continuous movement of ions, which is critical for
maintaining the RMP.
• Eg: K+ leak channels, which allow K+ to exit the cell, making the interior more
negative.
Graded Potentials/Subthreshold Potentials
1. Temporal summation 1. EPSP (Excitatory Post synaptic Potential)
2. Spatial summation 2. IPSP (Inhibitory Post synaptic Potential)
Conversing & Diverging circuit
Graded Potentials/Subthreshold Potentials
Action Potential
• An action potential is defined as a sudden, fast, & propagating change of
RMP.
• Nerve signals are transmitted by action potentials.
• Each action potential begins with a sudden change from the normal RMP to a
positive potential & ends with an almost equally rapid change back to its
RMP.
Action potential contd….
Stages of action potential
1. Resting
2. Depolarization
3. Repolarization
4. Hyperpolarization
Stages of action potential contd…
Resting stage:
• State of RMP
• It is the membrane potential before the action potential begins.
• The membrane is said to be “polarized” during this stage because of the −90
mv negative membrane potential that is present.
Stages of Action Potential contd…
2. Depolarization stage:
• Membrane suddenly becomes permeable to Na+, allowing tremendous no of
positively charged Na+ ions to enter.
• Potential rises rapidly in the positive direction
• Overshoot- Potential rises above zero level.
Stages of action potential contd…
3. Repolarization Stage:
• Within a few 10,000ths of a second after the membrane becomes highly
permeable to Na+ ions- Na+ channels starts closing & K+ channels start to
open.
• Re-establishment of RMP
Ionic Basic of Action Potential ??
1. Depolarization
2. Repolarization
3. Hyperpolarization
Properties of Action Potential
1. All or None Principle
2. Direction of Propagation
3. Refractory Period
Direction of Propagation
All or None Principle
• The action potential fails to occur if the stimulus is sub-threshold in
magnitude.
• Once threshold intensity is reached, a full fledged action potential is
produced.
Refractory Period
[Link] Refractory period:
• The period during which a second action potential cannot be elicited, even
with a strong stimulus.
• Corresponds from the time the firing to until repolarization is about 1/3rd
complete.
• This period for large myelinated nerve fibers is about 1/2500 second.
Refractory Period contd….
[Link] refractory period:
• A new action potential can be generated if the stimulus is stronger than
normal.
• Corresponds from time of end of 1/3rd of repolarization to the start of after
depolarization.
Action potential in myelinated nerves
• Depolarization in myelinated axons travels from one node of ranvier to next
- Saltatory conduction.
• Sall unmyelinated fibers: 0.25 m/sec
• Large myelinated fibers: 100 m/sec
Graded Potentials Vs Action Potential ???
1. Magnitude (Size)
2. Duration
3. Distance Traveled
4. Stimulus
5. Summation
6. Location
7. Polarity
Refrences
1. Textbook of Medical Physiology , Guyton and Hall, 14th Edition
2. Understanding Medical Physiology, R L Bijlani, 4th Edition
3. Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology, 26th Edition
Thank You