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Multiple Thresholds in a Model System of Noisy Ion Channels

Michael J. Barber·Manfred L. Ristig
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Abstract

Voltage-activated ion channels vary randomly between open and closed states, influenced by the membrane potential and other factors. Signal transduction is enhanced by noise in a simple ion channel model. The enhancement occurs in a finite range of signals; the range can be extended using populations of channels. The range increases more rapidly in multiple-threshold channel populations than in single-threshold populations. The diversity of ion channels may thus be present as a strategy to reduce the metabolic costs of handling a broad class of electrochemical signals.

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Michael J. Barber, Manfred L. Ristig. 2006-09-01. Multiple Thresholds in a Model System of Noisy Ion Channels. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreve.74.041913

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