An action potential is a rapid and transient change in the membrane potential of a cell, which is essential for the transmission of signals in the nervous system. This process is crucial for the communication between neurons and the generation of muscle contractions.
When a neuron is at rest, it maintains a negative charge inside the cell compared to the outside. This is known as the resting membrane potential. When a stimulus causes the membrane potential to reach a certain threshold, voltage-gated ion channels open, allowing an influx of sodium ions. This influx depolarizes the membrane, triggering an action potential. The action potential propagates down the axon and causes the release of neurotransmitters at the synapse.
Here are some key points to remember when studying action potentials:
Understanding the process of action potential is fundamental to grasping the functioning of the nervous system and is crucial for further studies in neuroscience and physiology.
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