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What happens after a subthreshold depolarization?

1) a full action potential
2) a partial action potential
3) no action potential
4) inhibition of an action potential

User Subrata
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

No action potential will occur following a subthreshold depolarization, as it does not reach the required threshold potential of -55 mV which is needed to generate an action potential.(option 3)

Step-by-step explanation:

After a subthreshold depolarization, no action potential will occur. Action potentials follow an "all or none" law, meaning they either happen completely, or they don't happen at all.

A subthreshold depolarization does not reach the critical threshold potential, which is typically around -55 mV. For an action potential to occur, this threshold must be crossed, leading to the opening of voltage-gated Na+ channels and a subsequent rapid depolarization of the neuron's membrane.

If the threshold is not reached, the neuron simply returns to its resting membrane potential without firing an action potential.

User Ilium
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