Explaining the Ionic Basis of Nerve impulses: What Nerve Impulses Do
Nerve impulses, which are electrical signals traveling along nerves and allowing communication between parts of the body, are called neuronal impulses. Although the process can be complex, it relies ultimately on the movement ions through cells. The nerve impulse can travel along the neuron due to this depolarization caused by the movement of ions. Controlling the flow of ions across the cell membrane are ion channels. These proteins channels, embedded in membranes, are sensitive to specific ions. They allow ions to enter the cells and exit them. Particularly sodium and potassium ions are crucial in depolarization. At rest, the inside of the cell has an opposite charge to its exterior. These channels can open and sodium ions will enter the cell. This creates an electric current which causes the interior of the membrane become positive. This process is called depolarization.
After depolarization, voltage-gated potassium channels open up and allow more sodium ions in the cell. Further depolarization of the cell causes a chain reaction, which propagates down the neuron. As potassium ions are released from the neuron, the electrical potential creates an electric potential which causes nerve impulses to spread. Cont…
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