A nerve signal is transmitted along the long, thin axon of a neuron in a small f

Question

A nerve signal is transmitted along the long, thin axon of a neuron in a small fish. The transmission occurs as sodium ions Na+ transfer like tipping dominos across the axon membrane from outside to inside. Each short section of axon gets an excess of about 6 times 10^8 sodium ions/mm. Determine the E field 4.0 cm from the axon produced by the excess sodium ions on the inside of the axon and an equal number of negative ions on the outside of a 1-mm length of axon. The ions are separated by the 8 times 10^?9-m-thick axon membrane. Use Kappa = 80 for the dielectric constant of water. Express your answer to two significant figures and include the appropriate units. Will a shark that is able to detect fields as small as 10^-6 N/C be able to detect that axon field?

Explanation / Answer

A) Electric field = (80 * 8.98 * 109 * 6 * 108 * 1.6 * 10-19 * 8 * 10-12)/0.043

                            = 8.6 * 10-6 N/C

B) No, it will not be able to .

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.