Biology SL
Biology SL
4
Chapters
553
Notes
Theme A - Unity & Diversity
Theme A - Unity & Diversity
Theme B - Form & Function
Theme B - Form & Function
Theme C - Interaction &  Interdependence
Theme C - Interaction & Interdependence
Theme D - Continuity & Change
Theme D - Continuity & Change
IB Resources
Theme C - Interaction &  Interdependence
Biology SL
Biology SL

Theme C - Interaction & Interdependence

Unlock the Secrets of Nerve Impulses!

Word Count Emoji
467 words
Reading Time Emoji
3 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

Imagine a rock concert in your body! 🎸 Every time you touch, feel, or think, there's a wave of electricity, like a rock star diving into a crowd, spreading the vibes. This 'electrical wave' is called an action potential! Let's break it down.

What is an action potential? 🌊

  • It's an electric wave that zooms along nerve fibers.
  • Imagine watching a movie 🎬: You can track the action potential using electrodes, kind of like putting a camera on our rock star. The movie screen shows voltage changes over time.

Main Events on the Action Potential Stage

  • Resting potential: -70mV (the quiet before the concert begins).
  • Depolarization: The crowd goes wild! Voltage turns from negative to positive.
  • Repolarization: Calming down and returning from positive to negative.

Remember: This voltage dance is all about ions, not electrons.

The rock star - depolarization 🎤

  • What causes the concert's sudden burst of energy? Sodium channels in the nerve's membrane open!
  • Sodium ions (Na+) rush in like fans swarming in. Why? There are 10 times more sodium ions outside than inside.
  • Result? Inside becomes positive! Voltage goes from around -70mV to a rocking +30mV.

Real-world example: Imagine a gate opening at a popular theme park 🎢, and everyone rushes in. That's like sodium ions entering the neuron.

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IB Resources
Theme C - Interaction &  Interdependence
Biology SL
Biology SL

Theme C - Interaction & Interdependence

Unlock the Secrets of Nerve Impulses!

Word Count Emoji
467 words
Reading Time Emoji
3 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

Imagine a rock concert in your body! 🎸 Every time you touch, feel, or think, there's a wave of electricity, like a rock star diving into a crowd, spreading the vibes. This 'electrical wave' is called an action potential! Let's break it down.

What is an action potential? 🌊

  • It's an electric wave that zooms along nerve fibers.
  • Imagine watching a movie 🎬: You can track the action potential using electrodes, kind of like putting a camera on our rock star. The movie screen shows voltage changes over time.

Main Events on the Action Potential Stage

  • Resting potential: -70mV (the quiet before the concert begins).
  • Depolarization: The crowd goes wild! Voltage turns from negative to positive.
  • Repolarization: Calming down and returning from positive to negative.

Remember: This voltage dance is all about ions, not electrons.

The rock star - depolarization 🎤

  • What causes the concert's sudden burst of energy? Sodium channels in the nerve's membrane open!
  • Sodium ions (Na+) rush in like fans swarming in. Why? There are 10 times more sodium ions outside than inside.
  • Result? Inside becomes positive! Voltage goes from around -70mV to a rocking +30mV.

Real-world example: Imagine a gate opening at a popular theme park 🎢, and everyone rushes in. That's like sodium ions entering the neuron.

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Biology SL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟