Action Potential Flashcards - AP Psych Unit 3

electrical impulse down the Axon

action potential

4 Stages of Action Potential

Resting stage, depolarization stage, repolarization stage, refractory stage

stage of action potential where the neuron is at rest and the axon is polarized

resting stage

stage of action potential where channels on the axon open and let in positive ions

depolarization stage

stage of action potential where the axon kicks out sodium and becomes negatively charged

repolarization stage

stage of action potential where the axon, having pushed out so many positive particles, becomes extremely negative, causing it to slowly return to resting stage

refractory stage

element inside the axon and its charge

potassium, negative

element outside the axon and its charge

sodium, positive

charge of the axon in resting stage

-70mV

axon’s threshold charge reached in depolarization stage that opens the next channel

-55mV

axon charge reached in repolarization stage

-80 or -90mV

axon charge that is slowly returned to in refractory stage

-70mV

why does the sensation of action potential feel stronger?

because more neurons have fired or fired more often