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There Are Many Different Kinds of Ions in Neurons

There are two main types of ions in neurons: sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+). In resting neurons, there are more Na+ ions outside and more K+ ions inside, maintained by ion channels that allow selective passage of ions. The intracellular environment is negatively charged compared to outside. Sodium channels are closed while potassium channels are open in resting neurons. The resting membrane potential remains stable as sodium-potassium pumps actively transport ions in and out at the same rate they passively leak through channels.

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30 views1 page

There Are Many Different Kinds of Ions in Neurons

There are two main types of ions in neurons: sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+). In resting neurons, there are more Na+ ions outside and more K+ ions inside, maintained by ion channels that allow selective passage of ions. The intracellular environment is negatively charged compared to outside. Sodium channels are closed while potassium channels are open in resting neurons. The resting membrane potential remains stable as sodium-potassium pumps actively transport ions in and out at the same rate they passively leak through channels.

Uploaded by

Kent
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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There are many different kinds of ions in neurons, but this discussion focuses on only two of them:

sodium ions (Na+) and potassium ions (K+).


In resting neurons, there are more Na+ ions outside the cell than inside and more K+ ions inside than
outside. These unequal distributions of Na+ and K+ ions are maintained even though there are specialized
pores, called ion channels, in neural membranes through which ions can pass. Each type of ion channel is
specialized for the passage of particular ions (e.g., Na+ or K+).

 In terms of electrical charge, the inside is more negative than outside.


 The sodium ion channels in resting neurons are closed, thus greatly reducing the flow of Na+
ions into the neuron. In contrast, the potassium channels are open in resting neurons, but only
a few K+ ions exit because they are largely held inside by the negative resting membrane
potential.
 Why does the resting membrane potential stay fixed? At the same rate that Na+ ions leaked
into resting neurons, other Na+ ions were actively transported out; and at the same rate that K+
ions leaked out of resting neurons, other K+ ions were actively transported in. Such ion transport
is performed by mechanisms in the cell membrane that continually exchange three Na+ ions
inside the neuron for two K+ ions outside. These transporters are commonly referred to as
sodium–potassium pumps
When neurotransmitter molecules bind to postsynaptic receptors, they typically have one of two effects,
depending on the neurotransmitter receptor, and postsynaptic neuron in question:

 They may depolarize the receptive membrane (decrease the resting membrane potential, from −70
to −67 mV, for example), or they may hyperpolarize it (increase the resting membrane potential,
from −70 to −72 mV, for example).
 Postsynaptic depolarizations are called excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) because, as
you will soon learn, they increase the likelihood that the neuron will fire.
 Postsynaptic hyperpolarizations are called inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) because
they decrease the likelihood that the neuron will fire.
 Both EPSPs and IPSPs are graded responses. This means that the amplitudes of EPSPs and IPSPs
are proportional to the intensity of the signals that elicit them: Weak signals elicit small
postsynaptic potentials, and strong signals elicit large ones.

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