On 8-2-2010 5:54, Darren New wrote:
> andrel wrote:
>> Actually also that is partly true. If the cell did not maintain an 
>> electric field over the membranes (both cell and SR) it would not 
>> function.
> 
> Yes, but I was under the impression that the depolarization happened 
> across the cell membrane, rather than having ions or free electrons 
> moving *along* the nerve like a wire.

They don't. Along the length of the axon ion channels are opening 
causing ions to flow across the membrane. That in itself will trigger 
the opening of channels close by and that will run as a bushfire over 
the membrane.

> In other words, unlike a few messages up, it's not "electrical power" 
> that's causing muscles to move and such. There's no electricity coming 
> into or out of the nerve, but rather a change of potential across the 
> membrane.

It is not electrical power, but more electronic signals. More ethernet 
than power lines.

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