31 Chapter 4: Discussion Questions / Chapter Assignments
Sherry Neville-MacLean
Chapter 4 questions
- There is much detailed content in this chapter. How will you break it down to work through all of it? What specific strategies might you use?
- Summarize what is depicted in Figure 4.1 in your own words.
- Compare and contrast the 4 types of channels discussed in this chapter.
- Use Table 4.8 to predict the way that the ions would move if an action potential was just beginning.
- The Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation, a variation of the Nernst equation, includes information on 3 ions. What is your position on the inclusion of these ions and the exclusion of others? Defend your answer.
- Could you find a way to better illustrate spatial and temporal summation than is used in the textbook chapter?
- Figure 4.17 brings together much information – the information about what is happening at the channels and the information about the phases of the action potential. In pairs or small groups, discuss what should be highlighted in this graph. What makes sense to you? What do you need more information about? Work together as a pair or group.
- Is the axon depicted in Figure 4.19 from the CNS or the PNS? How do you know?
