Читать книгу Neurobiology For Dummies - Frank Amthor - Страница 90

In This Chapter

Minding the membrane channels

Understanding neurons as batteries

Going with the flow through ion pumps

Meeting Nernst and Goldman

Sending signals with electricity

Exploring sodium and potassium channels

Getting to know glia

If I told you that your brain is full of batteries, you’d probably wonder if I was insulting your intelligence or just plain crazy. But after you read this chapter, you’ll see that neither is the case! Your brain’s neurons are cells that specialize in rapid and precise electrical communication, integration, and processing of information. In order for neurons to perform these wonderfully complex tasks, they require a number of different cells and other components, such as membrane channels, gates, receptors, transporters, and more. In this chapter, I explore what neurons need in order to be able to detect and respond to other neurons, substances in the environment, and energy.