Understanding Neuron Electrical Properties: Ion Transport Mechanisms

This lecture discusses the electrical properties of neurons, focusing on their ability to compute, generate, and transmit electrical signals. It begins by explaining how chemical energy from ATP hydrolysis drives ions across the plasma membrane, storing energy as potential energy. The plasma membrane acts as a barrier, allowing selective movement of ions through transmembrane proteins. The lecture covers various transport mechanisms, including passive and active transport, and highlights the role of ion pumps, particularly the sodium-potassium pump, in creating concentration gradients. The sodium-potassium pump is crucial for maintaining the electrical potential across the membrane, with approximately 70% of the brain's energy used for this process. The lecture also addresses secondary active transport mechanisms that utilize these gradients to move other ions. Additionally, it explores the structure and function of ion channels, including their gating mechanisms in response to stimuli. The lecture concludes with methods for analyzing ion channels, including DNA sequencing and advanced imaging techniques.