This case study will investigate the electrical behaviour of neurons, in particular the current and potential in the dendrites. Cable theory is used to model the dendrites as cylinders where the current passing through the center of the dendrites creates a potential across the dendrite membrane. Concepts such as resistance and capacitance are used in modelling the membrane and assist in providing a circuit model for the dendrite. The membrane consists of a phospholipid bi-layer shell with ion channels that allow for charge diffusion. The ion channels act as resistors with current flowing from the cytoplasm inside the dendrite to the extracellular matrix on the outside. The phospholipid bi-layer shell serves as an insulator between the conducting cytoplasm and extracellular matrix creating a capacitor which contributes to the electrical behaviour.

Explain the purpose and motivation of the case study and make a hypothesis