Mechanism of Axons

• Resting membrane potential - This is

  maintained by the selective permeability of the axon membrane to different ions, such as potassium, sodium, and chloride.

  • When the neuron is at rest, there is a difference in electrical charge
• Depolarization - This influx of ions causes the membrane potential to become more positive .

  • • When a signal is received at the axon hillock, it triggers the opening of voltage-gated ion channels, allowing positively charged ions, such as sodium, to enter the axon.
• Action potential - If the depolarization reaches a certain threshold, it triggers an all-or-nothing response called an action potential
• Repolarization - After the action potential, the membrane potential returns to its resting state through the opening of potassium channels, which allows positively charged potassium ions to leave the axon.
• Refractory period -Following an action potential, the axon enters a refractory period, during which it is unable to generate another action potential.

  • •This ensures that the signal
  • travels in only one direction along the axon.
• Synaptic transmission -When the action potential reaches the axon terminal, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft, which bind to receptors on the receiving neuron or muscle cell, initiating a new signal.