Final answer:
Small electrical currents passing through a cow refer to the general concept of electric current in a biological context crucial for nerve signal transmission via ion movement across cell membranes. Usually currents less than 5 mA are considered safe, and detection sensitivity varies among animals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for small electrical currents passing through a cow or any living organism, including humans, doesn't have a specific name, but it refers to the basic concept of electric current flowing through a biological medium. In biology, electric currents are crucial as they are fundamentally involved in nerve signal transmission, involving the movement of ions across cell membranes a process known as depolarization and repolarization. The sensitivity of organisms to these currents varies, with certain animals able to detect very weak electric fields. In general very small currents can pass through the body harmlessly and without sensation as the threshold of sensation is above 1 milliampere (mA).
However sustained muscular contractions can be stimulated by currents in the range of 5-30 mA, which are similar to nerve impulses. It's important to note that safety rules usually consider the 5-mA value as the maximum allowed shock to prevent harm. Electricity in biological terms also includes more pronounced examples, such as the electric fields produced by electric eels using electroplaques to stun prey or defend against threats.