AP Nerve Action Potential

What happens during depolarization

Sodium moves into the neuron through voltage-gated sodium channels, make inside of the neuron more positive

What happens during repolarization

Potassium ions move out of the neuron through voltage-gated potassium channels, making the inside more negative

What does the sodium-potassium pump do?

Maintains sodium and potassium concentration gradients by moving 3 Na⁺ out of the neuron and 2 K⁺ into the neuron

What would happen if sodium could not enter the neuron?

Depolarization would not occur properly, so an action potential could not be generated

What would happen if potassium could not leave the neuron?

Neuron would have difficulty repolarizing and returning toward its resting membrane potential

What would happen if the sodium-potassium pump stopped working?

Sodium and potassium gradients would gradually disappear, making it difficult for neurons to continue generating action potentials.

Why does myelin make nerve conduction faster?

A. Myelin insulates the axon and allows the action potential to "jump" between the nodes of Ranvier instead of traveling continuously along the entire membrane.

Insulates axon, allows action potential to jump between nodes instead of traveling continiously.