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Propagation of AP

The document discusses nerve physiology, focusing on the generation and propagation of action potentials in myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers. It explains key concepts such as the all-or-nothing principle, saltatory conduction, and the differences between fiber types, as well as the implications of myelin loss in conditions like multiple sclerosis. Additionally, it covers the initiation of action potentials, the role of nodes of Ranvier, and the mechanisms of impulse conduction.

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2 views

Propagation of AP

The document discusses nerve physiology, focusing on the generation and propagation of action potentials in myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers. It explains key concepts such as the all-or-nothing principle, saltatory conduction, and the differences between fiber types, as well as the implications of myelin loss in conditions like multiple sclerosis. Additionally, it covers the initiation of action potentials, the role of nodes of Ranvier, and the mechanisms of impulse conduction.

Uploaded by

hlaptop002200
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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NERVE PHYSIOLOGY

PROPAGATION OF ACTION POTENTIAL

Dr. Mehvish Ashfaq


Learning Objectives
• Discuss the process of generation of nerve impulse and its transmission
in different types of nerve fibers (myelinated and non-myelinated nerve
fibers) with their characteristics.
• Grasp the concept of all or nothing principle in propagation of an action
potential
• Explain the concept of saltatory conduction
• Discuss the properties of contiguous conduction
• Differentiate between myelinated and non-myelinated nerve fibers
based on their structure and characteristics
Initiation of Action Potential
Occurs only after the threshold potential is reached
Which is brought about by A positive-feedback cycle that opens the sodium
channels;
When the number of sodium ions entering the fiber is greater than the
number of potassium ions leaving the fiber

A sudden increase in the membrane potential in a large nerve fiber, from −70
millivolts up to about −55 millivolts, usually causes the explosive development of
an action potential
This level of −55 millivolts is said to be the threshold for stimulation
PROPAGATION OF THE ACTION POTENTIAL

Action potential propagates along nerve fiber as nerve signal


or nerve impulse
An action potential elicited at any one point on an excitable
membrane usually excites adjacent portions of the membrane,
resulting in propagation of the action potential along the
membrane
Graded potentials

Local changes in membrane potential that occur in varying grades or degrees


of magnitude or strength

• The stronger a triggering event is, the larger the resultant graded potential.
• They spread by passive current flow
• Die out over short distances
• Postsynaptic potentials
• Receptor potentials
• End-plate potentials
• Pacemaker potentials
• Slow-wave potentials
Ionic Current
flow
K+ K+
TYPES OF NERVE FIBERS

Unmyelinated Fibers
Myelinated fibers
Myelinated fibers
• Covered by myelin sheath
• Large diameter fibers (A fibers)
• Carry touch and pressure sensations to CNS
• Somatic motor fiber to skeletal muscle

• Unmyelinated fibers
• Not covered by myelin sheath
• Small diameter fibers (C fibers)
• Carry dull pain sensation to CNS
• Post ganglionic autonomic fibers
• Type of impulse
conduction in
both?
• Velocity of
conduction? Why?
Schwan cells- PNS Oligodendrocytes- CNS
Myelin sheath
• Fatty material- sphingomyelin- electrical insulator
• Produced by
• Schwann cells (peripheral nervous system)
• Oligodendrocytes (central nervous system)
• Wraps around the axon in multiple layers
• Insulates the nerve fiber
• Ionic exchange can not take place through myelin sheath
Nodes of Ranvier
• Devoid of myelin sheath
• Present after every 1-3 mm of myelinated part of nerve fiber
• Are in contact with ECF
• Have abundance of voltage gated Na+ channels
• Sites of action potential generation
Direction of Propagation of Impulse
the action potential travels in all directions away from the stimulus—even
along all branches of a nerve fiber—until the entire membrane has become
depolarized

Graded potential if does not reach threshold it dies away– decremental spread

Natural tendency of action potential spread is towards axon terminal


Action potential is non-decremental
All-or- Nothing Principle
Action potential will either be generated if conditions are right or not if
conditions are not right; no gradations of intensity
• Suprathreshold stimulus
Will elicit same action potential as elicited by threshold stimulus
• Subthreshold stimulus
Will not elicit action potential but, a graded potential
SAFETY FACTOR
For continued propagation of an impulse, ratio of action potential to
threshold voltage should always be greater than one;
Safety factor = action potential / threshold
Safety factor > 1

• Ensures generation & propagation of action potential


Non-decremental propagation
• Ratio less than one
Action potential will not be generated
Action potential initiates at axon hillock
• Axon hillock (trigger zone)
• Contains large number of voltage gated Na+ channels
• Low threshold for action potential initiation
• Action potential propagates from axon hillock towards terminal buttons
NERVE IMPULSE CONDUCTION

Contiguous Conduction- Unmyelinated Fibers


Saltatory Conduction- Myelinated fibers
CONTIGUOUS CONDUCTION
The spread of the action potential along every patch of membrane down the
length of the unmyelinated axon (contiguous means “touching” or “next to in
sequence”)

• Slow speed of impulse conduction


• More ionic disturbance
• More energy consumption
Action potential does not spread rather new Action
potentials are generated along the entire length of the
axon
The refractory period
ensures one-way
propagation of action
potentials and limits
their frequency.
SALTATORY CONDUCTION
In a myelinated fiber, the impulse “jumps” from node to node, skipping over
the myelinated sections of the axon

• Depolarization occurs only at Nodes of Ranvier


• Myelinated parts do not depolarize

Significance
• More velocity of conduction (5-50 folds increase) 100m/sec
• Less ionic disturbance
• Energy conservation (100 times less loss of ions)
1-3 mm
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
• Autoimmune disease
• Body’s defense system erroneously attacks the myelin sheath surrounding
myelinated nerve fibers
• Nerve fibers in various locations throughout the nervous system lose their
myelin

MS typically begins between the ages of 20 and 40

Relatives of those with MS have a 6 to 10 times greater chance of developing


the disease
Pathophysiology
• Loss of myelin as a result of a misguided immune attack slows transmission
of impulses in the affected neurons.
• A hardened scar known as a sclerosis (meaning “hard”) forms at the multiple
sites of myelin damage.
• These scars interfere with and can eventually block the propagation of
action potentials in the underlying axons
Causes
• Genetic predisposition
• Environmental triggers including;
• Viral infections
• Environmental toxins
• Vitamin D deficiency
but no evidence has been conclusive
Features:
• MS is debilitating but not fatal
• Fatigue
• Visual problems
• Tingling and numbness
• Muscle weakness
• Impaired balance and coordination
• Gradual paralysis
• The early stage of the disease is often characterized by cycles of relapse and
recovery
• While the later chronic stage is marked by slow, progressive worsening of
symptoms.
IMPORTANT
Differentiate between;
Graded and action potential
Saltatory and contiguous conduction
Myelinated and unmyelinated fibers
Significance of myelination?
Examples of graded potential?
All or none principle?

Scenario based question on MS


Pathophysiology
Mechanism of development of symptoms

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