Questions and Answers
What is the threshold of excitation?
What is depolarization?
The process during an action potential where the cell membrane potential becomes more positive.
What is repolarization?
The process of restoring the cell membrane potential to its resting state after depolarization.
What is resting potential?
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What is hyperpolarization?
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Study Notes
Action Potential Key Terms
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Threshold of Excitation
- The critical level of membrane depolarization needed to initiate an action potential.
- Typically around -55 mV in neurons.
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Depolarization
- A rapid increase in membrane potential, making the inside of the cell more positive.
- Occurs when voltage-gated sodium channels open, allowing Na+ ions to flow into the cell.
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Repolarization
- The process of returning the membrane potential to a more negative value after depolarization.
- Triggered by the closing of sodium channels and the opening of potassium channels, allowing K+ to exit the cell.
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Resting Potential
- The stable, negative charge of a neuron when it is not transmitting signals, typically around -70 mV.
- Maintained by the sodium-potassium pump and selective permeability of the neuronal membrane.
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Hyperpolarization
- A phase where the membrane potential becomes more negative than the resting potential.
- Can result from excess potassium ion flow out of the cell or chloride ion influx, leading to decreased excitability.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the key stages of action potentials with this labeling quiz. You'll identify and define terms such as depolarization, repolarization, and more. Perfect for biology students looking to solidify their understanding of neural activity.
