Each action potential Blank______.Multiple choice question.begins in the synaptic terminal and spreads up the axon to the axon hillockspreads across the entire surface of the membrane so that the entire cell is depolarized at one timeaffects only a small area of the plasma membrane of the cell at a timebuilds upon the previous action potential to create a larger potential change
Question
Each action potential Blank______.Multiple choice question.begins in the synaptic terminal and spreads up the axon to the axon hillockspreads across the entire surface of the membrane so that the entire cell is depolarized at one timeaffects only a small area of the plasma membrane of the cell at a timebuilds upon the previous action potential to create a larger potential change
Solution
The correct answer is: affects only a small area of the plasma membrane of the cell at a time.
Here's why: An action potential is a localized, short-term change in the electrical potential of the cell membrane that travels down the axon of a neuron. It begins at the axon hillock and moves down the axon, affecting only a small area of the plasma membrane at a time. This is because the ion channels that allow for the influx and efflux of ions (which cause the potential change) are localized to a small area of the membrane. As the action potential moves down the axon, it triggers the opening of these channels in the next section of the membrane, and so on. This creates a wave of depolarization that moves down the axon.
Similar Questions
As an action potential occurs in one area of the axon, an electrical current to neighboring areas of the membrane initiates ______.Multiple choice question.a graded potentialhyperpolarization of the membraneanother action potential
During an action potential the inside of the cell membrane becomes Blank______ charged.Multiple choice question.negativelypositively
When traveling along an axon, the cell membrane immediately ahead of an action potential depolarizes because of _________blank.Multiple Choicethe sodium/potassium pumpmembrane receptorsdiffusion of sodium currentdecreased membrane permeabilitypotassium efflux
In response to an action potential, voltage-gated calcium channels Blank______ in the presynaptic cell's axon terminal.Multiple choice question.closeopen
Complete the sentences describing the events that occur during an action potential.An action potential will not occur unless the membrane potential at the (the initial segment of the axon) reaches a level called .When threshold is reached, of the initial segment open briefly, allowing to diffuse into the cell.As these ions enter the cell, the cell membrane undergoes , with the membrane potential increasing to a peak of approximately +30mV.As the peak of the action potential is reached, the sodium channels close and the open, allowing these ions to diffuse out of the cell.As cations leave the cell, the membrane potential at that part of the membrane once again becomes negative. This phase of the action potential is called , because the resting membrane potential is being reestablished.The membrane potential actually dips lower than -70mV because the potassium channels do not close quickly enough. This phase is called .
Upgrade your grade with Knowee
Get personalized homework help. Review tough concepts in more detail, or go deeper into your topic by exploring other relevant questions.