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The transfer of electrical signals by nerve cells in human body is enabled by
Explanation
The transfer of electrical signals in the human body, known as nerve impulses or action potentials, is primarily enabled by the movement of sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) ions across the neuronal membrane. An action potential is initiated when voltage-gated sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions to influx into the cell, causing depolarization [1]. This is followed by the opening of potassium channels, where potassium ions exit the cell to mediate repolarization [1]. To maintain the resting membrane potential and the necessary concentration gradients, the ATP-driven sodium-potassium pump (Na/K-ATPase) actively transports three sodium ions out of the cell for every two potassium ions moved in [1]. This coordinated exchange of both sodium and potassium ions is essential for the generation and propagation of electrical signals along the axon to the synapse.
Sources
- [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538143/