Excitability is a biological phenomenon that describes the ability of cells to respond to stimuli. It is a fundamental property of cells and is associated with many physiological processes, including muscle contraction, neurotransmission, and hormone secretion. Excitability is the result of ion channels, which are proteins embedded in the cell membrane that allow ions to pass through and generate an electrical signal. This signal is then propagated and transmitted to other cells, allowing cells to communicate and interact with each other. Excitability is a complex phenomenon and is regulated by a variety of mechanisms, including protein kinases, gap junctions, and ionotropic receptors.
Ion channels are essential for the excitability of cells. They are proteins embedded in the cell membrane that are activated by various signals, including electrical, mechanical, and chemical signals. Different types of ion channels respond to different types of signals and allow different types of ions to pass through the cell membrane. Ion channels are regulated by a variety of mechanisms, including phosphorylation, gap junctions, and ionotropic receptors. The opening and closing of ion channels leads to the generation of an electrical signal, which is then propagated and transmitted to other cells, allowing cells to communicate and interact with each other.
Excitability is an important property of cells and is essential for many physiological processes, including muscle contraction, neurotransmission, and hormone secretion. It is regulated by a variety of mechanisms, including protein kinases, gap junctions, and ionotropic receptors. Understanding the mechanisms of excitability is essential for the development of new treatments for a variety of diseases and disorders.
References
Ludwig, A., & Südhof, T. C. (2013). Excitability of neurons: From ion channels to networks. Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology, 5(11), a011025.
Gill, D. L., & Magleby, K. L. (2012). Ion channels and excitability. Burlington, MA: Academic Press.
Berridge, M. J. (2003). Signal transduction: The molecular basis of excitability. In A. G. Engel & T. S. Reese (Eds.), Principles of molecular neurobiology (pp. 471-491). Cambridge, MA: Sinauer Associates.