Membranes allow potential differences

• Membrane is a lipid bilayer

  • Impermeable to charged species

• Each neuron maintains a potential difference across its membrane

  • Typically –80mV
  • Pumps ions and electrons in and out
  • Potential difference is roughly 5kT
    • Some ions have q = ++

From Kandel, Schwartz, Jessel, Principles of Neural Science, 3rd edn., 1991, pg. 67

Previous slide

Next slide

Back to first slide

View graphic version