How do signals propagate along a neuron's dendrites?
Hi, I am wondering how electrical signals propagate along a neuron's cell body and dendrites. I am not talking about what happens in between cells or along the axon. What I want to know is, when part of a cell receives a signal, how does that signal get to the axon hillock?
My understanding is that the signal "ripples" along the membrane. Is this accurate? If so, does anyone know which molecules conduct this signal along the membrane?
Comments
I think it does sort of "ripple." Basically, most dendrites do not generate action potentials (like axons do) because they lack voltage-gated ion channels. So dendrites conduct current passively, although it is subject to modulation along the way by inhibitory (hyperpolarizing) and excitatory (depolarizing) receptors.
More recently, some dendrites have been shown to generate action potentials, however.
It's been a year since I studied this so may not be entirely accurate. I believe that rather than rippling along the membrane, the signal jumps along, missing out several cells at a time, as a 'ripple' would take far too long. As for the rest - can't remember I'm afraid.