Nerve impulses (A-level only)

Biology · A-Level · AQA · AQA A-Level Biology - (7402) · Specification point · 3.6.2.1 · Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments (A-level only) · Nervous coordination (A-level only)

Structure of a myelinated motor neurone

Resting potential

Action potential generation

Action potential propagation

Refractory period

Factors affecting nerve impulse conduction speed

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3.6.2.1 Nerve impulses (A-level only)

Content	Opportunities for skills development
$The structure of a myelinated motor neurone. The establishment of a resting potential in terms of differential membrane permeability, electrochemical gradients and the movement of sodium ions and potassium ions. Changes in membrane permeability lead to depolarisation and the generation of an action potential. The all-or-nothing principle. The passage of an action potential along non-myelinated and myelinated axons, resulting in nerve impulses. The nature and importance of the refractory period in producing discrete impulses and in limiting the frequency of impulse transmission. Factors affecting the speed of conductance: myelination and saltatory conduction; axon diameter; temperature.$	$MS 0.2 Students could use appropriate units when calculating the maximum frequency of impulse conduction given the refractory period of a neurone.$

Content

Opportunities for skills development

The structure of a myelinated motor neurone. The establishment of a resting potential in terms of differential membrane permeability, electrochemical gradients and the movement of sodium ions and potassium ions. Changes in membrane permeability lead to depolarisation and the generation of an action potential. The all-or-nothing principle. The passage of an action potential along non-myelinated and myelinated axons, resulting in nerve impulses. The nature and importance of the refractory period in producing discrete impulses and in limiting the frequency of impulse transmission. Factors affecting the speed of conductance: myelination and saltatory conduction; axon diameter; temperature.

MS 0.2 Students could use appropriate units when calculating the maximum frequency of impulse conduction given the refractory period of a neurone.

Nerve impulses (A-level only) (3.6.2.1) | AQA A-Level Biology - (7402) | KnowledgeSet