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
Ions are electrically charged particles that can be either positively charged (cations) or negatively charged (anions). They play a crucial role in various physiological processes, including the transmission of signals in neurons.
Related terms
Cations: Positively charged ions that move across the neuronal membrane during depolarization.
Anions: Negatively charged ions that also contribute to the movement across the neuronal membrane during depolarization.
Sodium and Potassium Ions: Specific cations involved in depolarization and repolarization processes in neurons.