Final answer:
Depolarization of an action potential in a nerve impulse is caused by the movement of Na+ ions from the extracellular fluid to the intracellular space, resulting in a more positive charge inside the cell.
Step-by-step explanation:
The depolarization of an action potential in a nerve impulse is the result of Na+ ions moving from the extracellular fluid to the intracellular space. This influx of Na+ ions through voltage-gated ion channels occurs when a stimulus makes the membrane permeable to Na+, causing the inside of the membrane to become more positive compared to the outside. This shift in charge represents the depolarization phase, which is followed by repolarization when K+ ions move from the intracellular space to the extracellular fluid, helping to restore the resting membrane potential.