

Reticular activating system is an arousal system within the brainstem.Medulla: involved in life support functions such as respiration and heart rate.Pons: involved in respiration, sleep regulation, dreaming.Brainstem is a primitive portion of brain.Myelin is a fatty, waxy substance coating the axon of some neurons.Potential is restored when other channels open, allowing potassium ions to exit the axon.Sodium entry shifts the membrane potential toward a positive value.

Ion channels open in the membrane, allowing sodium ions to enter the axon.

