Quote:
Originally Posted by Cecily
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So typically, the outer portion of a cell membrane is more positive and the inner portion is more negative. During an action potential, voltage-gated Na+ ion channels in the cell membrane open in response to this difference in charge (membrane potential) switching into a depolarized positive cell interior and negative cell exterior. More Na+ inside the cell makes the interior positive relative to the exterior and this causes the voltage-gated Na* ion channels to open and dump more Na+ further along in the axon. This propagation of an action potential continues until it reaches the terminal branches and the neuron releases it’s neurotransmitter.
So basically, we are stuck with a bunch of sodium in our axons and it’s useless till we get that out. The Na+/K+ ATPase enzyme (sodium-potassium pump) facilitates this by breaking down adenosine triphosphate into adenosine diphosphate, using the energy in the Pi (inorganic phosphate) ion to activate a change of shape in this carrier protein which kicks 3 Na+ inside of the cell out and brings 2 K+ outside of the cell in. This along with ion leak channels restores the neuron membrane to a resting state allowing more jerking.
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Maybe in the next GED level biology lecture they will cover sexual refractory periods. What you have shown is nothing more than the movement of the action potential. When the community college covers the endocrine system, then you might be on the right path to discovering the mystery of the refractory period. But it most fucking certainly isn't about god damn sodium and potassium balance.