Question

While not directly involved in the production of the action potential, ______________ allow it to occur by maintaining the appropriate ion gradients and helping to return the cell to its resting potential.

Answer 1

Sodium-potassium pumps enable action potentials by maintaining ion gradients and restoring the cell's resting potential through active transport, which impacts the resting membrane potential.

Step-by-step explanation:

While not directly involved in the production of the action potential, sodium-potassium pumps (Na+/K+ pumps) allow it to occur by maintaining the appropriate ion gradients and helping to return the cell to its resting potential. These pumps are crucial for restoring the balance of sodium and potassium ions across the cell membrane after cells have fired an action potential. The Na+/K+ pumps operate through active transport, using ATP to transport ions against their diffusion gradients. This process not only replenishes ion concentrations that create the resting membrane potential, but also prepares the neuron or muscle cell to transmit another impulse by returning it to its resting state after depolarization and repolarization have occurred.