>I am a first year Biology student with a question that gave my instructor
>a problem ... Why does a neuro transmission take energy? If the Na+
>ions are greater on the outside than on the inside, therefore when the
>transmission occurs the Na+ ions move in.
"Neurotransmission" usually refers to the process of release of
neurotransmitter from a neuron, the NT's journey across the cleft, and
its activation of receptors at the postsynaptic neuron. Several parts of
this process require energy at some point.
>It seems that this would be
>diffusion and it should require no energy.
Correct. The influx of Na+ through Na+ channels requires no energy.
>Yet, my professor told us
>that this nuro transmission required a considerable amount of ATP but,
>was unable to explain the origin of the energy.
What requires energy is the Na+/K+ ATPase pump that pumps Na+ ions back
outside after the influx.
>Samantha Rivers
--
Tom
