Question

Describe the events that occur in an action potential.

Answer 1

An action potential is the pulse of voltage inside a nerve cell. It involves depolarization and repolarization of the cell membrane. The membrane voltage returns to its resting value after repolarization.

Step-by-step explanation:

An action potential is the pulse of voltage inside a nerve cell. It is caused by movements of ions across the cell membrane. The events that occur in an action potential include:

1. Depolarization: This occurs when a stimulus makes the membrane permeable to Na+ ions.
2. Repolarization: This follows depolarization, as the membrane becomes impermeable to Na+ and K+ ions move from high to low concentration.
3. Resting potential: The membrane voltage returns to the resting value shortly after repolarization.