Question

Which of the following applies to both action potential and graded potentials?

a. They both typically occur along the cell body of a neuron
b. They are both sustained by voltage-gated ion channels
c. They can range in intensity from strong to weak
d. They both involve localized changes in the voltage of a polarized membrane
e. They both progress at the same speed

Answer 1

Option (d), Both action and graded potentials involve localized changes in the voltage of a polarized membrane, with graded potentials varying in intensity and possibly leading to an action potential.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the options provided, the one that applies to both action potentials and graded potentials is that they both involve localized changes in the voltage of a polarized membrane. Both action and graded potentials involve temporary changes in a neuron's membrane voltage, but they differ in several respects. Graded potentials occur due to various stimuli and can either depolarize or hyperpolarize the membrane.

They occur along the dendrites or cell body and their intensity varies based on the strength of the stimulus. Graded potentials may summate to reach a threshold, leading to an action potential, which is an all-or-nothing event that typically propagates along the axon of a neuron and is sustained by the sequential opening and closing of voltage-gated ion channels.