Question

A typical action potential in a neuron is caused by which one of the following processes?

a: a surge in the activity of the Na+/K+ pump

b: a large increase in the intracellular concentration of K+ ions

c: a large increase in the intracellular concentration of Na+ ions

d: a brief increase in Na+ permeability followed by a brief increase in K+ permeability

e: a simultaneous increase in the permeability of the membrane to both Na+ and K+ ions

e

Answer 1

Option d is correct.

Action potentials are generated by special types of voltage-gated ion channels embedded in a cell's plasma membrane.These channels are shut when the membrane potential is near the (negative) resting potential of the cell, but they rapidly begin to open if the membrane potential increases to a precisely defined threshold voltage, depolarising the transmembrane potential.When the channels open, they allow an inward flow of sodium ions, which changes the electrochemical gradient, which in turn produces a further rise in the membrane potential. This then causes more channels to open, producing a greater electric current across the cell membrane and so on. The process proceeds explosively until all of the available ion channels are open, resulting in a large upswing in the membrane potential. The rapid influx of sodium ions causes the polarity of the plasma membrane to reverse, and the ion channels then rapidly inactivate. As the sodium channels close, sodium ions can no longer enter the neuron, and they are then actively transported back out of the plasma membrane. Potassium channels are then activated, and there is an outward current of potassium ions, returning the electrochemical gradient to the resting state. After an action potential has occurred, there is a transient negative shift, called the after hyperpolarization.