neo55592 at hotmail.com (Neo) wrote in news:4b45d3ad.0304042219.2e905a42
@posting.google.com:
> 1. What is the average refractory period (the duration a neuron needs
> to recover before being able to create a successive action potential)?
> 2. If neurons were arranged linearly, approximately how neurons will a
> signal have traveled thru during an average refractory period? TIA
>
The ABSOLUTE refractory period is between 4 and 5ms (the time it takes
for potassium channels to close). But a neuron needs a much larger
stimulation to fire the directly after the absolute refractory period.
The relative refractory period is any time from the end of the absolute
refractory period untill the neuron can generate an action potential by
the normal level of stimulation.
If we assume were dealing with a small, unmylinated neuron the AP
propigates at about 5 meters a second, or 5mm a millisecond, so in 4-5ms
it travels 20-25mm, about a 10th of an inch.
If were dealing with a large mylinated neuron, were talking 100-120meters
a second, to 100-120mm a millisecond, so in 4-5ms thats 400-600mm or
about half a meter. (Someone correct me if my maths is wrong).
