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Related Concept Videos

Action Potentials01:41

Action Potentials

Overview
Action Potential01:14

Action Potential

Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
Electrical Synapses01:28

Electrical Synapses

Electrical synapses found in all nervous systems play important and unique roles. In these synapses, the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes are very close together (3.5 nm) and are actually physically connected by channel proteins forming gap junctions.
Gap junctions allow the current to pass directly from one cell to the next. In contrast, in the chemical synapse, the neurotransmitters carry the information through the synaptic cleft from one neuron to the next. They consist of two...
Action Potential01:14

Action Potential

Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
Action Potential: Phases of Stimulation01:28

Action Potential: Phases of Stimulation

The action potential is a complex electrical event that occurs in excitable cells, such as neurons and muscle cells. It consists of several distinct phases, each with specific characteristics.
Resting Phase:
In this phase, the cell's membrane is at its resting potential, typically around -70 millivolts (mV) for neurons. Inside the cell, there is a higher concentration of potassium ions (K+) and a lower concentration of sodium ions (Na+). Voltage-gated sodium channels are closed, and...
Propagation of Action Potentials01:23

Propagation of Action Potentials

The propagation of an action potential refers to the process by which a nerve impulse, or "action potential," travels along a neuron.
Neurons (nerve cells) have a resting membrane potential, with a slightly negative charge inside compared to outside. This is maintained by ion channels, such as sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) channels, which control the flow of ions. When a stimulus, like a touch or a signal from another neuron, triggers the neuron, sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions to...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Spinal Cord Electrophysiology II: Extracellular Suction Electrode Fabrication
08:47

Spinal Cord Electrophysiology II: Extracellular Suction Electrode Fabrication

Published on: February 21, 2011

Electrical activity in early neuronal development.

Nicholas C Spitzer1

  • 1Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences and Centre for Molecular Genetics, Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0357, USA. nspitzer@ucsd.edu

Nature
|December 8, 2006
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Brain development, once thought to be purely genetic, is now understood to heavily involve electrical activity. This activity is crucial throughout all stages of nervous system development, partnering with genetic programs.

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Published on: September 23, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Historically, brain development was considered independent of electrical activity.
  • Neuronal proliferation, migration, and differentiation were attributed solely to genetic programs, with activity important only for later connection refinement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of electrical activity in early nervous system development.
  • To explore the general rules of activity-dependent development across different stages.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent findings on neural development.
  • Analysis of the role of neuronal activity in embryonic and adult neurogenesis.

Main Results:

  • Recent findings indicate essential roles for electrical activity in early nervous system development.
  • Electrical activity plays similar roles in incorporating new neurons in the adult nervous system.

Conclusions:

  • Electrical activity is not just for refining connections but is integral to early brain construction.
  • Activity-dependent development suggests a continuous partnership between electrical activity and genetic programs throughout all developmental stages.