The body makes electricity through our body electrolytes and our nervous system. The slides walk you through basic information on the how our body makes electricity and how it uses it.

1. HOW DOES THE BODY MAKE ELECTRICITY
AND HOW DOES IT USE IT?
By
Mahmood Hassan Dalhat
Department of Biochemistry
Faculty of Science
King Abdulaziz University Jeddah

2. INTRODUCTION
• Everything we do is controlled and enabled by electrical signals
running through our bodies.
• Without electricity we won’t be able to read this slides
• Basically atoms are made up of protons (positively charge),
neutrons (neutral) and electrons (negatively charge).
• When atoms are out of balance, it becomes either positively or
negatively charge depending on the flow of electron(s).
• The flow of electrons is what is referred to as electricity.

3. How does the body makes electricity
• Unlike wires, which involve electron flow along the wire, our bodies
instead involve electrical charge jump from one cell to another until
it reaches its destination.
• Electric signals are fast, they allow instantaneous response to stimuli.
• If our bodies only relied entirely on stimuli or messages via chemicals
we probably would have died long time ago. Because we wouldn’t
have rapid response to environmental messages like reflex action,
seeing this slides and comprehending what I am saying right now.
• Electrical impulse flows via a complex network of nerve
communication referred to as Nervous System.

4. NERVOUS SYSTEM

5. NEURON

6. Fig1: Distribution of ions in
neurons
Fig2: Equilibrium potential of K+

7. Mammalian Ion Concentration and
Equilibrium Potential
Ions Inside (mM) Outside (mM) Equilibrium
Potential (mV)
Na 18 145 +56
K 140 3 -102
Cl 7 120 -76
Ca 0.1 1.2 +125

8. NERNST EQUATION
• The equilibrium potential of ions that flows in and out of the
neuron(s) can be calculated using Nernst Equation
Eion= RT/zF In {[ion]o/ [ion]i}
Eion= ion Equilibrium Potential
T= Temperature (in Kelvin)
R= Gas constant (8.315 J/K mol-1)
F= Faraday (96,485 Coulomb)
Z= Valence of ion
{[ion]o/ [ion]i}= concentration of ions

9. How does the body use electricity
• Electricity is the key to survival, It allows instantaneous response to
control messages.
• Some organs that are actively involved in electrical signals are
• Brain
• Eyes
• Muscle
• Heart

10. HEART RHYTHM
•The crucial part of the heart that signals speed
up or slow down in heartbeat is referred to as
Sinoatrial node (SA node).
•It controls the rhythm of our heartbeat and it uses
electrical signals to set the pace.

11. Fig 3: Electrical communication between the heart and the brain

12. Effect of electric shock on Heart function
• Since everything relies on electrical signals, any breakdown in the
body’s electrical system will be a catastrophic problem.
• When we get electric shock, it interrupt the normal electric flow in
our body which might implicate in fried electrical system.
• There is dramatic problem when subjected to electrical shock for a
long period of time.
• The may lead to stop of heartbeat as result of interference of the
nerves connecting the SA node to the brain.
• This might cause sudden death.

13. Conclusion
• Without electricity flow in our body we will not be
able to survive, as it is the best way we communicate
with our environment and response to both internal
and external stimuli.

14. Thank you for listening

15. DEDICATION
• I dedicate this presentation to the Muslims who died in
the Christchurch terror attach in New Zealand.