Action Potential and Neurotransmitters

Front

What is an action potential?

Back

An action potential is a rapid, temporary change in the membrane potential of a neuron, allowing it to transmit an electrical impulse along the axon.

Front

What occurs during depolarization of an axon?

Back

During depolarization, sodium ions (Na+) rush into the neuron, causing the inside of the cell to become more positive compared to the outside.

Front

What is the synaptic cleft?

Back

The synaptic cleft is the small gap between the pre-synaptic neuron and the post-synaptic neuron where neurotransmitters are released.

Front

What role do neurotransmitters play in neural communication?

Back

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals across the synaptic cleft from one neuron to another.

Front

What is resting potential?

Back

Resting potential is the electrical potential of a neuron when it is not actively sending a signal, typically around -70mV.

Front

What happens at the axon terminal?

Back

At the axon terminal, neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft in response to an action potential.

Front

What is the function of dendrites?

Back

Dendrites are extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons and transmit them to the cell body.

Front

What is the significance of the threshold potential?

Back

Threshold potential is the critical level to which a membrane potential must be depolarized to initiate an action potential.

Front

What is hyperpolarization?

Back

Hyperpolarization is an increase in the membrane potential of a cell, making it more negative and less likely to fire an action potential.

Front

What is the all-or-nothing principle in action potentials?

Back

The all-or-nothing principle states that once the threshold is reached, an action potential will fire at full strength; if not, it will not fire at all.