Nervous system and voltage

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From: Jhumki Basu (sjbasu@hotmail.com)
Date: Sat Nov 17 2001 - 02:29:21 PST 

From: "Jhumki Basu" <sjbasu@hotmail.com>
Subject: Nervous system and voltage
Date: Sat, 17 Nov 2001 02:29:21 
Message-ID: <F68EALFgCtylySOp8dN00015654@hotmail.com>

Hello,

I'm trying to teach students what happens inside a nerve cells when signals
are transmitted. The sources I am reading suggest that the inside of cell
has a potential relative to the outside of the cell. The value of this
potential is -70mV.

Should I think about this voltage as I do the voltage in a battery? Are
electrons getting potential energy from a chemical reaction? What electrons
are getting this energy? I can only find information about sodium, potassium
and calcium ions.

So, in short, I'm trying to figure out how the transmission in neurons
relates to what I know about electrical circuits. I'd appreciate any input.

Thanks,
Jhumki Basu

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