Neuroscience: Action Potentials Overview

Which property of action potential refers to the fact that it either occurs fully or not at all?

What is the primary factor that influences the velocity of nerve conduction?

In which conduction type do action potentials jump from node to node?

What change occurs in excitability during the phases of an action potential?

Which term describes the period during which a neuron cannot initiate another action potential?

Action Potential Properties

Action potentials are propagated along the nerve fiber.
Excitability refers to the ability of a nerve fiber to respond to a stimulus.
The refractory period is the time during which a nerve fiber can't be stimulated.
The all-or-none response means that a nerve fiber will either fire a full action potential or not at all, depending on the stimulus.
Accommodation occurs when a nerve fiber progressively adapts to a constant stimulus.
Action potentials are infatigable, meaning they won't get tired.

Action Potential Conduction

The speed of action potential conduction depends on the nerve's diameter and whether it's myelinated.
Contiguous conduction occurs in unmyelinated nerves.
Saltatory conduction occurs in myelinated nerves and is faster than contiguous conduction.
Saltatory conduction happens at the nodes of Ranvier, the gaps between myelin sheaths.
Myelinated fibers conduct action potentials faster than unmyelinated fibers.

This quiz covers the fundamental properties and conduction mechanisms of action potentials in nerve fibers. Explore concepts such as excitability, refractory periods, and the differences between contiguous and saltatory conduction. Test your understanding of how these processes influence nerve signal transmission.