Cell Signaling & Neural Signaling Review

Front

What is the role of calcium in neural signaling?

Back

Calcium is responsible for signaling the release of neurotransmitters.

Front

What occurs when sodium voltage-gated channels close and potassium voltage-gated channels open?

Back

This process is called Repolarization, where potassium rushes out of the axon changing the membrane potential from +40mV to -70mV.

Front

When does a stimulus cause an action potential?

Back

An action potential occurs when the membrane potential reaches the threshold.

Front

What is a ligand in cell signaling?

Back

A ligand is a signal molecule that binds to a plasma-membrane protein.

Front

What is the primary role of neurotransmitters in neural communication?

Back

Neurotransmitters transmit action potentials across synapses.

Front

Define depolarization in the context of neural signaling.

Back

Depolarization is the process where the membrane potential becomes less negative (more positive) due to the influx of sodium ions.

Front

What is hyperpolarization?

Back

Hyperpolarization is when the membrane potential becomes more negative than the resting potential, often due to the efflux of potassium ions.

Front

What is the function of voltage-gated sodium channels?

Back

Voltage-gated sodium channels open in response to a change in membrane potential, allowing sodium ions to enter the cell and initiate an action potential.

Front

What is the significance of the threshold potential?

Back

The threshold potential is the critical level to which a membrane potential must be depolarized to initiate an action potential.

Front

What is a second messenger in cell signaling?

Back

A second messenger is a molecule that transmits signals from a receptor to target molecules inside the cell, amplifying the signal.