Final answer:
The maximum firing rate of a nerve in impulses per second is determined by the refractory period, usually ranging from a few milliseconds to a few hundred milliseconds. The correct answer is a) 100 Hz, representing the typical firing rate of a nerve with a refractory period.
Step-by-step explanation:
The maximum firing rate of a nerve in impulses per second is determined by the refractory period, which is the time it takes for a nerve to recover and be able to generate another impulse. The refractory period is usually very short, ranging from a few milliseconds to a few hundred milliseconds. Therefore, the maximum firing rate of a nerve is limited by this refractory period.
For example, if the refractory period is 1 millisecond (ms), then the maximum firing rate of the nerve would be 1000 impulses per second (1/0.001 = 1000 Hz). On the other hand, if the refractory period is 10 milliseconds, then the maximum firing rate would be 100 impulses per second (1/0.01 = 100 Hz).
In conclusion, the correct answer is a) 100 Hz, as it represents the typical firing rate of a nerve considering the refractory period.