Summarizing Nerve Conduction–electrocardiograms

Summary

• Electric potentials in neurons and other cells are created by ionic concentration differences across semipermeable membranes.
• Stimuli change the permeability and create action potentials that propagate along neurons.
• Myelin sheaths speed this process and reduce the needed energy input.
• This process in the heart can be measured with an electrocardiogram (ECG).

Glossary

nerve conduction

the transport of electrical signals by nerve cells

bioelectricity

electrical effects in and created by biological systems

semipermeable

property of a membrane that allows only certain types of ions to cross it

electrocardiogram (ECG)

usually abbreviated ECG, a record of voltages created by depolarization and repolarization, especially in the heart