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Describe an action potential

Updated: 5/25/2024
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13y ago

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Firstly, a stimulus causes an influx of sodium ions into the axon. This causes further sodium voltage-gated ion channels to open, causing more sodium ions to move into the axon, down an electrochemical gradient, this depolarises the axon, if the influx of sodium ions reaches the threshold value of the axon then an action potential is produced. The sodium-voltage gated channels close when the potential of the axon reaches +40 mv. Potassium ion channels open, allowing K+ ions out of the axon and into surrounding tissue fluid. The electrical gradient is reversed and more potassium ions leave the axon. This is repolarisation. As more potassium ion channels are open compared to at resting potential, hyperpolarisation occurs. This is where the axon is more negative then usual. The sodium-potassium pump actively transports 3 Na+ ions out of the axon and 2K+ ions into the axon, with the use of ATP; allowing the resting potential to be reastablished.

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13y ago
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5d ago

An action potential is a rapid change in electrical potential across the cell membrane of a neuron, which allows for communication between neurons. It is initiated by a depolarization of the cell membrane, followed by a spike in electrical activity as ions flow in and out of the cell. This wave of depolarization and repolarization allows for the transmission of signals along the neuron.

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11y ago

It conveys a neural impulse along an axon.

It does so in a manner that is as strong at the end of the axon as at the beginning.

It only fires when enough input impulses sum up at the axon hillock (the beginning of the axon), and it does not vary in strength, so it's considered an 'all or nothing' signal; different intensities of sensory inputs are conveyed by different rates of firings, such that a strong sensory input will yield a fast series of action potentials, and a weak sensory input will yield just a few action potentials.

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11y ago

descibe the action potential the characteristics and the direction

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Q: Describe an action potential
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Related questions

What was the effect of curare on eliciting an action potential?

It creates an action potential


An electrical impulse moving down an axon is called?

This is called action potential. Action potential is the change in electrical potential that occurs between the inside and outside of a nerve or muscle fiber when it is stimulated, serving to transmit nerve signals.


The action potential is generated when a stimulus?

When a stimulus stimulates a neuron above the threshold, the action potential is generated.


Why does curare create an action potential?

Curare does NOT create an action potential. It binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (which are primarily excitatory), and prevents the formation of an action potential.


Why does curare appear to generate an action potential?

It doesn't. I prevents an action potential from forming.


What transmission of the depolarization wave along the neurons membrane?

Action potential


Also called a nerve impulse transmitted by axons?

action potential


What is the difference between a compound action potential and a single action potential?

Single action potentials follow the "all or none" rule. That is, if a stimulus is strong enough to depolarize the membrane of the neuron to threshold (~55mV), then an action potential will be fired. Each stimulus that reaches threshold will produce an action potential that is equal in magnitude to every other action potential for the neuron. Compound action potentials do not exhibit this property since they are a bundle of neurons and have different magnitudes of AP's. Thus compound action potentials are graded. That is, the greater the stimulus, the greater the action potential.


Do axons carry action potentials away from the cell body?

The areas that have had the action potential are refractory to a new action potential.


Why does artifact always appear ahead of action potential?

Artifacts appear ahead of action potentials on an EEG because they are typically due to external interference or movement-related signals, which are faster and more prominent than the electrical signal generated by the action potential. Artifacts can distort the recording of brain activity and need to be identified and removed to accurately interpret the EEG data.


When the electrical potential in a cell is in action versus a resting state the electrical charge reversal?

Action Potential


Why is action potential self regenerating?

By self regenerating, they mean that when you start an action potential, it continues in proximal (nearby) tissue (e.g., nerve). The depolarization of the action potential continues along the nerve.