Action Potential

Depolarization

________: a sudden change in membrane potential- usually from a (relatively) negative to positive internal charge.

K+ ions

As ________ are more concentrated inside the neuron, opening potassium channels causes a passive efflux of potassium.

Repolarization

________: the restoration of a membrane potential following depolarization (i.e.

Na+ ions

As ________ are more concentrated outside of the neuron, the opening of sodium channels causes a passive influx of sodium.

Refractory period

________: the period of time following a nerve impulse before the neuron is able to fire again.

normal resting state

In a(n) ________, sodium ions are predominantly outside the neuron and potassium ions mainly inside (resting potential)

efflux of potassium

The ________ causes the membrane potential to return to a more negative internal differential (repolarization)

sodium potassium

Before a neuron can fire again, the resting potential must be restored via the antiport action of the ________ pump.

Repolarization

the restoration of a membrane potential following depolarization (i.e

Refractory period

the period of time following a nerve impulse before the neuron is able to fire again

Nerve impulses

action potentials that move along the length of an axon as a wave of depolarization

Threshold potential

the level required to open voltage-gated ion channels