Resting potential The neuron is not conducting an impulse and inside of neuron has a negative charge of -70mV compared to outside
Outline the general organisation of the nervous system
- Formed of central nervous system, brain and spinal cord - Peripheral nervous system divided into voluntary and automatic nervous system - Autonomic nervous system consists of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system - Voluntary nervous system has motor and sensory neurons
Outline functions of motor neuron
- It carries electrical signals from the brain to effectors - It causes muscles to contract
Draw a labelled diagram of a motor neuron
Outline movement of ions across membrane of axon
- To establish resting potential, Na-K pump pumps sodium out and potassium in through active transport which energy is supplied to the pump as ATP - When the potassium channel opens, it allows only K+ to diffuse out of the axon through facilitated diffusion - When the sodium channel opens, it allows only Na+ to diffuse into the axon through facilitated diffusion
Explain the effect of neonicotinoid pesticides in insects synapses in the
- Neonicotinoid pesticides are similar to nicotine - Binds to acetylcholine receptors - Binding is irreversible - Prevents acetylcholine binding - Blocks transmission from CNS Explain how nerve impulses travel along a neuron - Resting potential of -70mV - Na/K pump maintains the resting potential - More sodium outside than inside, more potassium inside than outside - Nerve impulse is an action potential that stimulates a depolarisation along the axon - If neuron is stimulated, sodium ion channel opens - Sodium ions diffuse in - Na+ move in causing depolarisation - Potassium ion channel open - Depolarising in one area triggers depolarisation in neighbouring region
Outline the factors affecting speed of an action potential
- Diameter of axon: Larger diameter - Myelination of axon: Myelinated sheath - Temperature: Higher temperature - Concentration of Na+ ions: More Na+ ions - Number of synapses involved: Lower number of neurons
Explain how a nerve message passes from one neuron to another
- Nerve impulse reaches the end of presynaptic neuron - Depolarisation causes calcium channels in membrane to open - Calcium diffuses into the presynaptic neuron - Vesicles containing neurotransmitter move to and fuse with presynaptic membrane - Neurotransmitter released by exocytosis into synaptic cleft - Neurotransmitter diffuses across the synapse - Neurotransmitter attaches to receptors on postsynaptic neuron - Receptors cause ion channels to open and sodium diffuse into the postsynaptic neuron - The postsynaptic neuron is depolarised - Causes a new action potential - Neurotransmitter on postsynaptic membrane is broken down - Neurotransmitter is reabsorbed into the presynaptic neuron
Outline the role of calcium ions in the transmission of nerve impulses
- Calcium ions diffuses into presynaptic neuron - Causing vesicles to move to and fuse with pre synaptic membrane - Leading to exocytosis