Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Electrical charge refers to the movement of electrically charged particles, such as ions, along a neuron. It is responsible for transmitting signals and information throughout the nervous system.
Related terms
Ion Channels: These are protein channels that allow ions to flow in and out of neurons, regulating the electrical charge.
An action potential is a sudden change in electrical voltage that occurs when a neuron fires. It allows for the transmission of signals between neurons.
Resting potential refers to the stable, negative charge inside a neuron when it is not firing. It represents its resting state before receiving any incoming signals.