Estimate how much energy is required to transmit one action potential along the

Question

Estimate how much energy is required to transmit one action potential along the axon 25 cm long of radius 15 m . The thickness of the membrane is about 108 and the dielectric constant is about 3. [Hint: the energy to transmit one pulse is equivalent to the energy stored by charging the axon capacitance]. E (energy) = ??? units is in joules What minimum average power is required for 104 neurons each transmitting 150 pulses per second? P (power) = ??? units of watts Please help i'm completely lost

Explanation / Answer

capacitance = k * area / distance

area = 2 * pi * radius * length

capacitance = 8.85418782 * 10^-12 * 2 * pi * radius * length / thickness

capacitance = 3 * 8.85418782 * 10^-12 * 2 * pi * 15 * 10^-6 * 0.25 / 10^-8

capacitance = 6.2586 * 10^-8 F

energy = 0.5 * C * V^2

energy = 0.5 * 6.2586 * 10^-8 * 1^2

energy = 3.1293 * 10^-8 J

power = energy / time

power = 3.1293 * 10^-8 * 10^4 * 150 / 1

power = 0.0469395 watt

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse E
• Subjects

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