Purchase Solution

What happens when the membrane potential reaches threshold?

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

When the membrane potential of a neuron reaches the threshold level:

a. voltage-gate sodium channels open, and sodium diffuses out of the cell
b. voltage-gated potassium channels open for a very brief period
c. voltage-gated sodium channels close, so sodium cannot diffuse out of the cell
d. the sodium channel protein changes its shape to open the gates of the channel
e. the membrane potential is more negative that when at rest

Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary

This solution helps explain what happens when the membrane potential of a neuron reaches threshold.

Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
BioChemistry Basics

This Quiz will test your knowledge of the amino acids used in biological systems

The Transfer of Energy in an Ecosystem

This quiz will assess your knowledge of how energy is transferred in an ecosystem and the different levels of trophic organization.

Basic Immunology Quiz

Intro to immuno quiz. Covers the basics of immunology and recognition of foreign substances by the body.

Understanding the Musculoskeletal system

Introduce and understand basic information how the skeletal system and muscular system work in close concert with one another. And how their interaction between muscle and bone, as they work together to allow us movement.

The Plant Body

This quiz will test your knowledge of the anatomy of a common plant.

View More Free Quizzes
Related BrainMass Solutions

  • the AP is an all-or-none phenomenon

    It is frequently called an "all or none" response because if depolarization reaches threshold, the voltage sensitive sodium channels open and an action potential is generated.

  • Action Potential and Ion Regulation

    As more, Na rushes into the cell, more Na voltage gated ion channels open to propel cell membrane depolarization. 3) When the threshold reaches - 55 millivolts, the cell membrane becomes 600 times more permeable to Na than K because all Na voltage-gated

  • Factors Affecting Action Potentials

    This causes the inside of the cell to become more positive, and hence the effect is depolarizing. If enough of this occurs, the membrane potential will reach threshold and trigger an action potential.

  • EPSP/IPSP

    Therefore, an EPSP brings the membrane potential closer to threshold, closer to 0. It makes the membrane potential less negative. On the other hand, an IPSP results when the inhibitory signal is greater than the excitatory signal.

  • Description of an Action Potential

    33115 Mechanisms of an Action Potential Why is the term "action potential" used to describe a nerve impulse? What is the role of sodium ions (Na+) and potassium ions (K+) in generating an action potential. What is a "threshold"? 1.

  • Muscle Contractions and the Effects of Anesthetics

    When it reaches the threshold of about -50mV, this triggers a large increase in the movement of Na+ ions into the cell and an action potential is created. This action potential then spreads along the muscle cell membrane (sarcolemma).

  • GRE Study Guide

    Therefore, the inside of the membrane becomes more negative, eventually reaching threshold. When threshold is released...wham! Action potential. This Solution contains over 150 words.

  • Goldman equation

    You should see that this is what happens during an action potential: at rest, the cell is mostly permeable to potassium, so the membrane potential is negative.

  • The reason of neuron to be at threshold

    After this the membrane closes and no conduction of impulse takes place until the membrane potential drops below the threshold value.

View More Related Solutions