This sends a message to the muscles to provoke a response.
For example, say you want to pick up a glass so you might take a drink of water.
The action potential plays a key role in carrying that message from the brain to the hand.
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After neuronal firing, there is a brief refractory period where the cell cannot fire again.
Electrically charged atoms known as ions maintain the positive and negative charge balance.
In this state, sodium and potassium ions cannot easily pass through the membrane.
Chloride ions, however, are able to freely cross the membrane.
The negative ions inside the cell are unable to cross the barrier.
The resting potential of the neuron refers to the difference between the voltage inside and outside the neuron.
During Neuronal Firing
Youve decided that you are thirsty and would like a drink of water.
This principle is known as theall-or-none law.
This means that neurons always fire at their full strength.
The message from the brain is now traveling down the nerves to the muscles in the hand.
The refractory period generally lasts one millisecond.
Problems With Neurons Firing
Sometimes, problems with neuronal firing can emerge.
This is often connected to problems with the myelin sheath surrounding the cell’s axon.
Myelin is a fatty substance that sheaths the axon, which helps aid in electrical transmission.
Disorders that affect the myelin sheath include:
Diffuse axonal injury is another problem that can disrupt neuron firing.
This is due to traumatic brain injury and can lead to damage to different parts of the brain.
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