Question

1) Describe in detail the three types of potentials seen in neurons.

Answer 1

ANSWER :

The three types of potentials has been seen in neurons or other excitatory cells ::

1. Resting potential : It occurs when both the voltage-gated ion channels (sodium and potassium) are closed, and there would be no transmission of electrical impulse through the neuron. Resting membrane potential (RMP) remains between -70 to -90 mV in various excitatory cells in the body.

2. Action potential : It generates in the cells when voltage-gated sodium ion channels open and potassium channels remain close. Due to influx huge number of sodium ions toward inside would cause depolarization in the cells and make them less negative or more positive (about to +40 mV), which allows the transmission of electrical impulses along it.

3. Graded potential : Graded potential is a specific membrane potential that is similar to the action potential in some way to transmit electrical impulse, but it has various signal strengths which are less than action potential and vary in amplitude as it travels the distance. The graded potential generated via ligand gated ion channels during both the hyperpolarization and depolarization of cells.