10-Minute Neuroscience: Action Potentials

In this video, I cover the basics of the action potential beginning with an explanation of membrane potential and how it sets the stage for the action potential. Then, I describe how an action potential is generated and how it ends. I cover the propagation of an action potential down the axon and the role myelin plays in this process. Finally, I discuss the absolute and relative refractory periods and what they mean for repeated action potential firing.

Key points:
00:00 Introduction
0:17 Membrane potential
4:18 Action potential
7:20 Propagation down the axon and role of myelin
8:51 Absolute and relative refractory periods

REFERENCES:
Bean BP, Koester JD. 2021. Propagated Signaling: The Action Potential. In: Kandel ER, Koester JD, Mack SH, Siegelbaum SA, eds. Principles of Neural Science, 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Koester JD, Siegelbaum SA. 2021. Membrane Potential and the Passive Electrical Properties of the Neuron. In: Kandel ER, Koester JD, Mack SH, Siegelbaum SA, eds. Principles of Neural Science, 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Pinel JPJ. 2014. Biopsychology. 9th ed. New York: Pearson.

[nicholash]

im quitre surprised how much accurate information you can relay in 10 minutes. good work

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So fabulous. Better than multiple lectures ...

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[theonlykiloe]

bro's carrying my grades hard, keep up the good work and thanks for making neurology easy to understand!

[EmilyRoth-op]

I appreciate your
detailed breakdown of action potentials. Very organized and thorough.

[tryggviedwald]

Not a word wasted, everything important covered: this is as good a ten-minute interval as any you could possibly spend on the subject.

[devorakohl]

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[aamirrazak]

Thank you for continuing this series of videos, it’s great to review neuroscience and learn more about it!

[swaiyam]

I'm just 4 minutes into this video and you've already cleared up days of confusion. Thank you so much!! You are the GOAT👌

[andrewwmitchell]

I knew a bit about this but now I understand it better than ever. I was fascinated and you explained it extremely clearly.

[williamschmid]

I am planing to study neuro-science next year, and I was looking for some videos about this topic. I am glad you made a channel

[LA-cmuo]

Thanks you're an angel in human form!

[svsportstherapy]

Brilliantly explained, thank you SO much!

[ellakelley]

Thank you so much, I've been struggling to understand how neurons work for about 3 weeks now and I finally understand.

[ericamilaneze]

Great video, it presents with a clear explanation the essential information about the action potential. Thank you!

[nevaehburlock]

Great video! Saved me the day before my diploma!

[ruben]

Gracias a tí, por hacer este magnífico video.