Describe each stage of an action potential in terms of what ion channels are active. Edit View Insert Format Tools Table Paragraph BIUA 12pt v ...

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...
icon
Related questions
Question
100%
**Title: Understanding Action Potentials and Ion Channel Activity**

**Description and Instructions**

The task is to describe each stage of an action potential by specifying which ion channels are active during each phase. This will help in understanding the mechanisms underlying neural communication.

---

**Text Prompt**

**Describe each stage of an action potential in terms of what ion channels are active.**

---

**Explanation**

An action potential is a rapid and temporary change in the electrical potential across the membrane of a neuron, allowing it to transmit signals. Here are the various stages of an action potential and the corresponding ion channel activity at each stage:

1. **Resting State**
   - **Ion Channels Active**: 
     - **Potassium Leak Channels:** These are open, allowing K+ ions to move out of the neuron.
     - **Sodium-Potassium Pump:** This active transport mechanism pumps 3 Na+ ions out and 2 K+ ions into the neuron, maintaining the resting potential at approximately -70 mV.

2. **Depolarization**
   - **Ion Channels Active**: 
     - **Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels:** These channels open in response to a threshold stimulus, allowing Na+ ions to rush into the neuron, causing the membrane potential to become more positive.

3. **Peak of Action Potential**
   - **Ion Channels Active**: 
     - **Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels:** Continue to be open until the membrane potential reaches approximately +30 mV to +40 mV.
     - **At Highest Peak:** Sodium channels begin to close as the peak is reached.

4. **Repolarization**
   - **Ion Channels Active**: 
     - **Voltage-Gated Potassium Channels:** These channels open after the peak of the action potential, allowing K+ ions to flow out of the neuron, restoring the negative membrane potential.

5. **Hyperpolarization (Undershoot)**
   - **Ion Channels Active**:
     - **Voltage-Gated Potassium Channels:** They remain open longer than necessary, making the membrane potential more negative than the resting state.
     - **Potassium Leak Channels**: Also contribute to the hyperpolarization.
     - **Sodium-Potassium Pump**: Continues to function, helping to restore the resting membrane potential.

6. **Return to Resting State**
   - **Ion Channels Active**:
     - **Potassium Leak Channels**: Remain open.
     - **Sodium-P
Transcribed Image Text:**Title: Understanding Action Potentials and Ion Channel Activity** **Description and Instructions** The task is to describe each stage of an action potential by specifying which ion channels are active during each phase. This will help in understanding the mechanisms underlying neural communication. --- **Text Prompt** **Describe each stage of an action potential in terms of what ion channels are active.** --- **Explanation** An action potential is a rapid and temporary change in the electrical potential across the membrane of a neuron, allowing it to transmit signals. Here are the various stages of an action potential and the corresponding ion channel activity at each stage: 1. **Resting State** - **Ion Channels Active**: - **Potassium Leak Channels:** These are open, allowing K+ ions to move out of the neuron. - **Sodium-Potassium Pump:** This active transport mechanism pumps 3 Na+ ions out and 2 K+ ions into the neuron, maintaining the resting potential at approximately -70 mV. 2. **Depolarization** - **Ion Channels Active**: - **Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels:** These channels open in response to a threshold stimulus, allowing Na+ ions to rush into the neuron, causing the membrane potential to become more positive. 3. **Peak of Action Potential** - **Ion Channels Active**: - **Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels:** Continue to be open until the membrane potential reaches approximately +30 mV to +40 mV. - **At Highest Peak:** Sodium channels begin to close as the peak is reached. 4. **Repolarization** - **Ion Channels Active**: - **Voltage-Gated Potassium Channels:** These channels open after the peak of the action potential, allowing K+ ions to flow out of the neuron, restoring the negative membrane potential. 5. **Hyperpolarization (Undershoot)** - **Ion Channels Active**: - **Voltage-Gated Potassium Channels:** They remain open longer than necessary, making the membrane potential more negative than the resting state. - **Potassium Leak Channels**: Also contribute to the hyperpolarization. - **Sodium-Potassium Pump**: Continues to function, helping to restore the resting membrane potential. 6. **Return to Resting State** - **Ion Channels Active**: - **Potassium Leak Channels**: Remain open. - **Sodium-P
Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Membrane chemistry
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:
9780134580999
Author:
Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:
PEARSON
Biology 2e
Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:
9781947172517
Author:
Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:
OpenStax
Anatomy & Physiology
Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:
9781259398629
Author:
McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa Stouter
Publisher:
Mcgraw Hill Education,
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Biology
ISBN:
9780815344322
Author:
Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter
Publisher:
W. W. Norton & Company
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:
9781260159363
Author:
Martin, Terry R., Prentice-craver, Cynthia
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.
Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)
Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:
9781260231700
Author:
Sylvia S. Mader, Michael Windelspecht
Publisher:
McGraw Hill Education