Anatomy & Physiology › Section K · Nervous tissue › Topic K.3
Nervous tissue function and the action potential
A neuron stores energy as a voltage across its membrane, built from unequal ion concentrations and selective channels. Release that energy in a controlled burst and you get the action potential, the signal behind every sensation and movement.
In this topic
- From stimulus to movement
- Membranes, channels and gates
- The membrane potential
- The Nernst equation
- Worked example: potassium and sodium
- Why rest is about −70 mV
- The action potential, phase by phase
- All-or-none and refractory periods
- Propagation: continuous and saltatory
- Worked example: how long does the signal take?
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Key takeaways
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