| voltage | <physics> Electric potential or potential difference, expressed in volts. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| voltage clamp | <physiology, technique> A technique in electrophysiology, in which a microelectrode is inserted into a cell and current injected through the electrode so as to hold the cells membrane potential at some predefined level. The technique can be used with separate electrodes for voltage sensing and current passing, for small cells, the same electrode can be used for both. Voltage clamp is a powerful technique for the study of ion channels. See: patch clamp. (18 Nov 1997) |
| voltage gated ion channel | <physiology> A transmembrane ion channel whose permeability to ions is extremely sensitive to the transmembrane potential difference. These channels are essential for neuronal signal transmission and for intracellular signal transduction. See: sodium channel. (18 Nov 1997) |
| voltage gradient | <physiology> Literally, the electric field in a region, defined as the potential difference between two points divided by the distance between them. Used more loosely, the potential difference across a plasma membrane. (18 Nov 1997) |
| voltage loop | <radiobiology> A wire which encircles the main axis of a tokamak in the vicinity of the vacuum vessel. The voltage induced in this loop during the shot is a measure of the ohmic heating voltage induced by transformer action and applied to the plasma. (09 Oct 1997) |
| voltage-gated channel | A class of ion channel's that open and close in response to change in the electrical potential across the plasma membrane of the cell; voltage-gated Na+ c.'s are important for conducting action potential along nerve cell processes. (05 Mar 2000) |