present in the axoplasm. Consequently, the axoplasm inside the axon contains high concentration of K + and negatively charged proteins and low concentration of Na + . In contrast, the fluid outside the axon contains a low concentration of K + , a high concentration of Na + and thus form a concentration gradient. These ionic gradients across the resting membrane are maintained by the active transport of ions by the sodium-potassium pump which transports + outwards for K + into the cell.
As a result, the outer surface of the axonal membrane possesses a positive charge while its inner surface Figure . Structure of a neuron becomes negatively charged and therefore is polarised. The electrical potential difference across the resting plasma membrane is called as the resting potential . You might be curious to know about the mechanisms of generation of nerve impulse and its conduction along an axon.
When a stimulus is applied at a site (Figure . e.g., point A) on the polarised membrane, the membrane at the site A becomes freely permeable to Na + . This leads to a rapid influx of Na + followed by the reversal of the polarity at that site, i.e., the outer surface of the membrane becomes negatively charged and the inner side becomes positively charged. The polarity of the membrane at the site A is thus reversed and hence depolarised.
The electrical potential difference across the plasma membrane at the site A is called the action potential , which is in fact termed as a nerve impulse . At sites immediately ahead, the axon (e.g., site B) membrane has a positive charge on the outer surface and a negative charge on its inner surface. As a result, a current flows on the inner surface from site A to site B. On the outer surface current flows from site B to site A (Figure .
) to complete the circuit of current flow. Hence, the polarity at the site is reversed, and an action potential is generated at site B. Thus, the impulse (action potential) generated at site