IUBio

Action Potential

Matt Fraser mof at prophet.pharm.pitt.edu
Sat Dec 14 13:31:18 EST 1996


On Fri, 13 Dec 1996, G K GRAY wrote:

> This whole discussion exposes rather slipshod teaching of electrics
> to undergraduates in neuroscience, and - dare I say it? - slipshod
> presentation of certain aspects of the subject in even some of the
> best introductory textbooks, e.g.; "From Neuron to Brain", 2nd and
> 3rd Edns. 

Hi Gord,

I think that the discussion really began as the simple answering of a
question asked by an interested lay-person, at least in regard to the
biophysics of excitable membranes, so I don't think that it is necessarily
appropriate to give the full blown biophysical explanation in response. 

Not everyone who reads and/or asks questions to this NG is a
neuroscientist, or even college educated - public forum, and all that.
Lots of interested lay-people out there with internet connections.
You wouldn't expect the original question from a trained neuroscientist,
so I think it only proper to respond in a more easily digestible form.

That's not to say that a more technical explanation can't be provided, but  
will that answer do any good to the person that asked the question?

Matt

  _________________________________________________________

Matt Fraser                        "Hey, You! Don't help them 
                                        To bury the Light.
mof at prophet.pharm.pitt.edu                Don't give in
MATTF at vms.cis.pitt.edu                   Without a Fight."
mattf+ at pitt.edu
                                           Pink Floyd




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