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Related Concept Videos

The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation01:19

The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation

A postsynaptic neuron usually receives numerous impulses from several other presynaptic neurons. The axon hillock of the postsynaptic neuron integrates all these signals and determines the likelihood of firing an action potential.
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential.
Electrochemical Gradient and Channel Proteins: An Overview01:21

Electrochemical Gradient and Channel Proteins: An Overview

An electrochemical gradient is a fundamental concept in biology and chemistry. It regulates the movement of ions across cell membranes. This movement is influenced by two factors:
The electrical gradient: The electrical gradient across cell membranes refers to the difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a cell.  This difference drives the movement of ions towards or away from the cells. For instance, if the inside of the cell is more negatively charged relative to the...
Ion Channels01:19

Ion Channels

The movement of ions like sodium, potassium, and calcium into and out of the cell is essential to maintain the electrochemical gradient in living cells. The ion channels—a class of membrane transport proteins—help maintain this ionic gradient for the smooth functioning of physiological activities such as maintaining cell size and volume, conducting nerve impulses, and gas and nutrient exchange.
Ion channels are specialized integral membrane proteins on the plasma membrane that allow specific...
Voltage-gated Ion Channels01:26

Voltage-gated Ion Channels

Voltage-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that open and close in response to changes in the membrane potential. They are present on the membranes of all electrically excitable cells such as neurons, heart, and muscle cells.
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several types of...
Voltage-gated Ion Channels01:26

Voltage-gated Ion Channels

Voltage-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that open and close in response to changes in the membrane potential. They are present on the membranes of all electrically excitable cells such as neurons, heart, and muscle cells.
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several types of...
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels01:12

Mechanically-gated Ion Channels

Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...

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Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Recapitulation of an Ion Channel IV Curve Using Frequency Components
10:14

Recapitulation of an Ion Channel IV Curve Using Frequency Components

Published on: February 8, 2011

Ion channels: from conductance to structure.

Francisco Bezanilla1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.

Neuron
|November 11, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Understanding ion channels has shifted from electrical concepts to structural dynamics. New technical advances continue to drive major discoveries in ion conduction research.

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One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording
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One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording

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Last Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Recapitulation of an Ion Channel IV Curve Using Frequency Components
10:14

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Published on: February 8, 2011

Single-Molecule Imaging of Lateral Mobility and Ion Channel Activity in Lipid Bilayers using Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) Microscopy
08:55

Single-Molecule Imaging of Lateral Mobility and Ion Channel Activity in Lipid Bilayers using Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) Microscopy

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13:07

One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording

Published on: June 9, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Membrane Protein Dynamics

Background:

  • Ion channels are crucial for cellular function.
  • Early understanding of ion conduction focused on electrical properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a historical perspective on the evolution of ion channel knowledge.
  • To highlight the transition from electrical to structural dynamics models of ion conduction.

Main Methods:

  • Review of historical scientific literature.
  • Analysis of key technological and biological preparation advancements.

Main Results:

  • Knowledge of ion conduction has progressed from electrical concepts to a structural dynamics view.
  • Major advances in understanding ion channels are linked to new technologies and biological preparations.

Conclusions:

  • The study of ion channels has undergone a significant paradigm shift.
  • Future discoveries in ion channel function are expected with continued technological innovation.