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Propagation of Nerve Impulse

Very Short Answer Questions
1.
What is sodium-potassium pump?
Ans. The Na+ and K+ gradients between axoplasm and ECF are maintained by the Na+/K+
ATPase (sodium-potassium pump). It transports 3 Na+ into ECF and 2 K+ ions into the
axoplasm.

2.
What is the value of resting membrane potential? Name the instruments used to
measure it.
Ans. The value of resting membrane potential is about 70 mV.
Voltmeter or oscilloscope is the instrument used to measure it.

3.
Distinguish between depolarization and hyper polarization.
Ans. Depolarized means the membrane potential becomes less negative in inner side. It reaches
to +45 mV.
Hyperpolarized means membrane potential becomes more negative in inner side. It may
reach to 90 mV.
4.
What is an action potential?
Ans. The local voltage change across the cell wall as a nerve impulse is transmitted is called
action potential.

5.

What is threshold potential?

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Ans. The momentary change in electrical potential on the membrane of a neuron that occurs
when it is stimulated, resulting in the transmission of an electrical impulse is termed as
Action potential or nerve impulse.
6.
Justify the statement action potential are all-or-none events.
Ans. When the depolarization is just equal to or above the threshold potential;
an action potential of equal amplitude is initiated.
Hence the action potential is an all-or- none phenomenn.
7.
What is an absolute refractory period?
Ans. A few milliseconds after initiation of an action potential it is impossible to trigger a second
action potential. This period is known as absolute refractory period.
8.
What is a relative refractory period?
Ans. The time during which a second action potential can be initiated by a larger than normal
stimulus is called relative refractory period.
9.
What is saltatory conduction?
Ans. In a myelinated axon, the voltage gated Na and K channels are concentrated at nodes of
Ranvier.
So depolarization travels from one node to another node by leaping (saltations). This
mechanism is called saltatory conduction.
It is about 50 times faster than the continuous conduction.

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10. Distinguish between excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potential.

Ans.Excitatory neurotransmitters depolarize the postsynapticmembrane. These potentials are
called as excitatory postsynaptic potential. (EPSPs)
Inhibitory neurotransmitters cause hyperpolarization of postsynaptic membrane. These
potentials are called inhibitory postsynaptic potentials.(IPSP)
11. Distinguish between temporal summation and spatial summation.
Ans. Integration of the inputs is known as Summation.
The summation of Successive inputs from a single pre synaptic bouton is called temporal
summation.
The summation of inputs from several pre synaptic boutons is called spatial summation.
12. Give two examples for inhibitory neurotransmitters.
Ans. Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) and glycine are inhibitory neurotransmitters.

Short Answer Questions

1.

Explain resting membrane potential.

The axoplasm and extra cellular fluid are electrically neutral.
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Just inside the axolemma anions are present in the axoplasm. Cations are present in the
ECF just outside the axolemma.

They tend to move back toward each other. This tendency of oppositely charged ions to
flow back towards each other called a potential. It is measured by voltmeter or
oscilloscope.

The membrane potential of a neuron that is not transmitting signals is known as Resting
potential.

The concentration of Na+ in ECF is ten times to its concentration in the axoplasm.

The concentration of K+ in the axoplasm is thirty times to its concentration in the ECF.

The Na+ and K+ gradients are maintained by the Na+ / K+ ATP ase (Sodium-Potassium
pump) . It ransports 3 Na into ECF and 2 K in to the cell.

The principle anion in the axoplasm is non-diffusible proteins, sulphate, phosphate and
other organic anions. The principal anion in
ECF is Cl.

At the resting potential, the voltage-gated Na+ channels are in resting state. Voltage gated
K channels are closed.

Resting potential about 70 mV, negative on the inner side of axolemma. At resting
phase, the axolemma is polarized. If the inner side becomes less negative is called
depolarized. If the inner side becomes more negative is called hyperpolarized.
2.
Explain action potential.
The momentary change in electrical potential on the membrane of a neuron occurs when
it is stimulated, resulting in the transmission of en electrical impulse is known as action
potential or nerve impulse.
A) Depolarizing phase: when the depolarization reaches the threshold level (-55mV),
voltage gated Na channels are activated.
Due to rapid influx of Na the membrane potential shoots rapidly upto +45 mV. When the
depolarization is just equal to or above the threshold potential, an action potential of equal
amplitude is initiated. Hence the action potential is an all-or-non-principle.
B) Repolarizing phase: The membrane potential rises to its peak, the voltage gated Na+
channels are inactivated and voltage-gated K+ channels open. The efflux of K repolarizes the
axolema.
C) Hyperpolarizing phase (Undershoot): The membrane potential briefly becomes even
more negative (90 mV) than it normally is at rest. It is due to more outward movements of K
ions. The membrane potential returns to its original resting state as the K+ channels close.

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3.

Give an account of synaptic transmission.

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Synapse is the space between two neurons. It is generally present between the terminal
knob of one neuron and dendrite of the next neuron. The space between two neurons is
synaptic cleft.

The parts in a synapse are Presynaptic terminal, synaptic cleft and postsynaptic
membrane.

Neurotransmitter is synthesized by presynaptic neuron and stores in presynaptic vesicles
of synaptic terminals.

Transmission of impulse through synapse occurs in the following manner..

Action potential depolarizes the terminal membrane of presynaptic region to open
voltage-gated calcium channels in that membrane.
Calcium ions diffuse into the terminal. The rise in Ca concentration in terminal causes the
fusion of synaptic vesicles with terminal membrane to release the neurotransmitter by
exocytosis.
Neurotransmitter diffuses across the synaptic cleft.
Postsynaptic membrane has ligand-gated channels. Neurotransmitter binds with receptor
of these channels and causes Postsynaptic potential.
Excitatory neurotransmitters depolarize the postsynapticmembrane. These potentials are
called as excitatory postsynaptic potential. (EPSPs)
Inhibitory neurotransmitters cause hyperpolarization of postsynaptic membrane. These
potentials are called inhibitory postsynaptic potentials.(IPSP)
Neurotransmitter is degraded by an enzyme present in synaptic cleft.
If the sum of EPSPs exceeds the sum of IPSPs and the threshold is reached, an action
potential is generated in the initial segment of the axon of the postsynaptic neuron.

SUMMATION OF POSTSYNAPTIC POTENTIALS

 Unlike action potentials, postsynaptic potentials are graded. Their magnitude varies with
a number of factors like the amount of neurotransmitter.
 A typical neuron receives input from many synapses.
 Integration of the inputs is known as Summation.
 The summation of Successive inputs from a single pre synaptic bouton is called temporal
summation.
The summation of inputs from several pre synaptic boutons is called spatial summation.

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Long Answer Questions

1.
Explain the impulse transmission through a nerve fibre.
Ans. Nerve impulse is the combination of mechanical, chemical or electrical disturbances occur
in a neuron because of stimulus..
The propagation of an impulse along nerve fibre is called transmission. In this process both
physical and chemical changes are involved. The entire process is divided into stimulation,
excitation, conduction and response.
A) RESTING POTENTIAL:


The axoplasm and extra cellular fluid are electrically neutral.
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Just inside the axolemma anions are present in the axoplasm. Cations are present in the
ECF just outside the axolemma.

They tend to move back toward each other. This tendency of oppositely charged ions to
flow back towards each other called a potential. It is measured by
voltmeter or
oscilloscope.

The membrane potential of a neuron that is not trnsmiting signals is known as Resting
potential.

The concentration of Na+ in ECF is ten times to its concentration in the axoplasm.

The concentration of K+ in the axoplasm is thirty times to its concentration in the ECF.

The Na+ and K+ gradients are maintained by the Na+ / K+ ATP ase (Sodium-Potassium
pump). It ransports 3 Na into ECF and 2 K in to the cell.

The principle anion in the axoplasm is non-diffusible proteins, sulphate, phosphate and
other organic anions. The principal anion in ECF is Cl.

At the resting potential, the voltage-gated Na+ channels are in resting state. Voltage
gated K channels are closed.

Resting potential about 70 mV, negative on the inner side of axolemma. At resting
phase, the axolemma is polarized. If the inner side becomes less negative is called
depolarized. If the inner side becomes more negative is called hyperpolarized.

B) ACTION POTENTIAL :

The momentary change in electrical potential on the membrane of a neuron occurs when
it is stimulated, resulting in the transmission of en electrical impulse is known as action
potential or nerve impulse.
A) Depolarizing phase: when the depolarization reaches the threshold level (-55mV),
voltage gated Na channels are activated.
Due to rapid influx of Na the membrane potential shoots rapidly upto +45 mV. When the
depolarization is just equal to or above the threshold potential, an action potential of equal
amplitude is initiated. Hence the action potential is an all-or-non-principle.
B) Repolarizing phase: The membrane potential rises to its peak, the voltage gated Na+
channels are inactivated and voltage-gated K+ channels open. The efflux of K repolarizes
the axolema.
C) Hyperpolarizing phase (Undershoot) : The membrane potential briefly becomes even
more negative (90 mV) than it normally is at rest. It is due to more outward movements of
K ions. The membrane potential returns to its original resting state as the K+ channels
close.
C) Refractory periods:
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For a few milliseconds after initiation of an action potential, it is impossible to trigger

a second action potential. This period is known as the absolute refractory period.

The relative refractory period is the time during which a second action potential can
be initiated by a larger than normal stimulus.
D) PPOPAGATION OF ACTION POTENTIALS: At the site where an action potential
is initiated, Na+ influx during the depolarizing phase creates an electrical current that
depolarizes the neighbouring region of the axolemma.
The depolarization in the neighbouring region is large enough to reach the threshold,
causing the action potential to be generated there.
This process is repeated many times as the action potential travels along the length of the
axon.
The propagation of this cycle of events along the nerve fibre is called a nerve impulse.
The action potential move only towards the synaptic terminals.
E) CONDUCTION SPEED:
i) The speed of conduction of impulse is directly proportional to diameter of axon.
ii) If diameter is more, resistance to the flow of electrical current is less. It causes more
speed of conduction of impulse.
iii) If diameter of axon is less, resistance to the flow of electrical current
is more. It causes less speed of conduction of impulse.

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