why do extracellularly recorded action potentials look different from intracellularly recorded potentials?
Answer Hi Lex, Extracellular recordings of potential are different from intracelluar recordings because they are mirror images (well, not exactly due to ions and other mechanisms involved) of the change of the cells’ membrane potential. As cells come out of their resting potential, achieved by ion channels and intracellular stores, the positive ions flow in and make the cell fire (action potential). This would create an electrochamical change in the extracellular fluid (ion exchange) and hence would be detected by the extracellular electrodes.
