Chapter 27.1, Problem 3CYP

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The steps in the generation of an action potential.

Given:

The change in the distribution of charges which triggers the movement of electrical impulse is called as action potential.

Introduction:

Neurons are the highly specialized cells which are excitable to responds to the stimuli. When the neuron not sending any impulse, it is said to be at resting membrane potential. At rest the axoplasm have more potassium ions and relatively less sodium ions. The extracellular fluid contains more sodium and relatively less potassium. During the resting state the membrane is impermeable to both the ions, thus it is said to polarized. The unequal concentrations of ions both inside and outside the membrane contain the potential to transmit the impulse.