Question

When comparing action potentials to graded potentials, an important distinguishing characteristic is

A) only graded potentials can undergo summation.
B) only action potentials can undergo summation.
C) the rate of action potentials is limited by the refractory period.
D) A and C
E) B and C

Answer 1

Graded potentials can undergo summation, while the rate of action potentials is limited by the refractory period.

Step-by-step explanation:

An important distinguishing characteristic between action potentials and graded potentials is that only graded potentials can undergo summation (A) and the rate of action potentials is limited by the refractory period (C).

Graded potentials are local changes in the membrane potential that occur in response to stimuli at the dendrites of a neuron. These potentials can summate spatially or temporally, meaning they can add together at different locations on the neuron or occur at the same place but separated in time.

Action potentials, on the other hand, are all-or-nothing electrical signals that occur once a threshold is reached. They cannot undergo summation, and their rate is limited by the refractory period.