Axolemma

Axolemma

The axolemma is the membrane of a neuron's axon. It is responsible for maintaining the cell's membrane potential, and it contains channels through which ions can flow. This changes the voltage inside the axon and can depolarize or hyperpolarize the cell. Adequate depolarization will lead to an action potential, which will travel down the axon in a self-propagating manner, as more ion channels open due to stimulation by the influx of positive ions.

If the axolemma is damaged, it becomes unable to perform its vital role of maintaining the concentration gradient of ions on the outside of the cell. When these ions rush down their gradient into the cell, they can cause a number of different cellular processes that lead to cellular damage and sometimes death.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • axolemma — Plasma membrane of an axon …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • axolemma — noun The surface membrane of an axon …   Wiktionary

  • axolemma — The plasma membrane of the axon. SYN: Mauthner sheath. [axo + G. lemma, husk] * * * axo·lem·ma ak sə .lem ə n the plasma membrane of an axon * * * n. the fine cell membrane, visible only under the electron microscope, that encloses the protoplasm …   Medical dictionary

  • axolemma — n. the fine cell membrane, visible only under the electron microscope, that encloses the protoplasm of an axon …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • axolemma — noun outer membrane covering an axon • Hypernyms: ↑membrane, ↑tissue layer • Part Holonyms: ↑medullary sheath, ↑myelin sheath …   Useful english dictionary

  • Аксолемма (Axolemma) — тонкая клеточная (плазматическая) мембрана, окружающая протоплазму аксона; видна только под электронным микроскопом. Источник: Медицинский словарь …   Медицинские термины

  • Mauthner membrane — axolemma …   Medical dictionary

  • Mauthner sheath — axolemma …   Medical dictionary

  • аксолемма — (axolemma, LNH; аксо + (цито)лемм ) часть клеточной оболочки нейрона, покрывающая аксон …   Большой медицинский словарь

  • Аксоле́мма — [axolemma, LNH; Аксо + (цито)лемма (Аксо )] часть клеточной оболочки нейрона, покрывающая аксон …   Медицинская энциклопедия

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