The code provided models a passive "leak" current in a neuron, which is an important component of neuronal electrical properties. This leak current contributes to the resting membrane potential and affects the neuron's excitability. Below are the key biological aspects related to the code:
Leak Conductance (glbar
):
glbar
, the leak conductance refers to the baseline level of ionic conductance across the neuron's membrane that is not mediated by voltage-gated channels. This conductance is typically dominated by ions that can pass freely across the membrane, such as potassium (K⁺) and sometimes sodium (Na⁺) or other small ions.Equilibrium Potential (el
):
el
refers to the reversal potential of this leak current. In the code, it is set to -75 mV, which is within the range typical for a potassium-dominated leak current. This suggests the model primarily accounts for potassium's contribution to the leak current, although exact ion specificity isn't depicted solely by this value.Membrane Potential (v
):
v
is the membrane potential in millivolts, which influences the leak current alongside the conductance and equilibrium potential. The driving force (v - el)
in the formula represents how far the membrane potential is from the leak current's reversal potential, determining the current's magnitude.Leak Current (il
):
il
is calculated as the product of the leak conductance and the driving force (v - el)
. This current is nonspecific, meaning it does not specifically model the flow of a single type of ion but rather represents a composite leak pathway often seen in biological neurons.In summary, the code models a basic aspect of neuronal physiology: the passive movement of ions that shape the resting properties of a neuron and play a critical role in its overall electrical behavior.