Author Question: Explain how the nerve cell membrane acts as an integrator of incoming inputs. What will be an ... (Read 55 times)

ishan · **on:** Jun 22, 2018

Explain how the nerve cell membrane acts as an integrator of incoming inputs.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Explain how ion channels alter the electrical properties of a nerve cell membrane.

What will be an ideal response?

zhanghao · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: Neurotransmitter-gated receptors can open separate ion channels. Opening a sodium channel would result in an EPSP, while opening a potassium channel would result in an IPSP. The critical event which produces an action potential is reaching the threshold value for the membrane. EPSPs move the potential closer to that value; IPSPs move it further away. The PSPs can add together spatially and temporally, because of the residual nature of these potentials.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: Ions are charged particles that are unequally distributed across the cell membrane. When ion channels open, diffusion and electrostatic pressure push sodium ions into the cell or potassium ions out of the cell. These movements result in changes in voltage across the membrane.