Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the main function of the sodium-potassium pump in neurons?
What is the main function of the sodium-potassium pump in neurons?
- Initiate action potentials
- Maintain the resting potential of the neuron (correct)
- Transport sodium ions into the neuron
- Promote depolarization of the axon
What happens if the threshold voltage for an action potential is never reached in a neuron?
What happens if the threshold voltage for an action potential is never reached in a neuron?
- The action potential occurs repeatedly
- The neuron becomes hyperpolarized
- The threshold voltage decreases
- The action potential does not occur (correct)
Why is the change in charge inside the axon from negative to positive called depolarization?
Why is the change in charge inside the axon from negative to positive called depolarization?
- Resulting from the influx of positively charged sodium ions (correct)
- Due to the exit of potassium ions from the neuron
- As a signal for the initiation of action potentials
- Following the opening of sodium protein channels
What is the significance of repolarization in neuronal action potentials?
What is the significance of repolarization in neuronal action potentials?
How does increasing the strength of a stimulus affect action potentials in neurons?
How does increasing the strength of a stimulus affect action potentials in neurons?
Why does a resting neuron have potential energy similar to a fully charged battery?
Why does a resting neuron have potential energy similar to a fully charged battery?
Why is the voltage measurement of a nerve cell's resting potential always a negative number?
Why is the voltage measurement of a nerve cell's resting potential always a negative number?
What contributes to the positive charge inside a resting neuron?
What contributes to the positive charge inside a resting neuron?
What causes the outside of a cell to be positively charged in a resting neuron?
What causes the outside of a cell to be positively charged in a resting neuron?
How is a neuron's resting potential energy comparable to that of a battery?
How is a neuron's resting potential energy comparable to that of a battery?
