In: Biology
Compare and contrast a grade potential with an action potential?
Ans. Let us compare and contrast a graded potential and an action potential through the following table :
| S.No | Graded Potential | Action Potential | 
| 1 | A membrane potential which varies with respect to amplitude is called as a graded potential. | When impulses transmit along the membrane of a nerve cells or muscle cell, a change in electrical potential occurs.This change in electrical potential is called as action potential. | 
| 2 | It generally has small amplitude ranging from a few mV to tens of mV. | It has large amplitude of ~100mV. | 
| 3 | It can occur either due to depolarization or hyperpolarization,depending upon the stimulus. | It always lead to depolarization of membrane. | 
| 4 | Ligand-gated ion channels generate a graded potential. | Voltage-gated ion channels generate an action potential. | 
| 5 | It may be transmitted over short distances only. | It can be transmitted over long distances. | 
| 6 | During the transmission it may lose its strength. | It does not lose its strength during the transmission. | 
| 7 | Does not have any refractory period associated with them | Have absolute and refractory periods associated with them and are important aspect too. | 
| 8 | It can be summed over time and across space. | Since an action potential is of all or non in nature and also it has got refractory periods, summation is not possible for action potentials. |