Asked by Raymie Owens on May 18, 2024
Verified
Continuous conduction of action potentials means that
A) once an action potential is created, it moves in both directions along the axon.
B) the whole axon depolarizes at the same time.
C) an action potential in one site generates local currents causing depolarization to threshold at the adjacent site.
D) an action potential is conducted from one node of Ranvier to the next node.
Continuous Conduction
The propagation of an electrical impulse along an unmyelinated axon without interruption.
Action Potentials
Rapid, temporary changes in the electrical membrane potential of a cell, which allow for the transmission of signals along neurons.
Local Currents
Electrical currents that flow in the neuronal membrane due to the movement of ions in and out of the neuron, vital for the propagation of action potentials.
- Recognize the stages of an action potential and determine the elements influencing the velocity of action potential propagation, particularly the role of myelination.
Verified Answer
CW
Caroline WatersMay 20, 2024
Final Answer :
C
Explanation :
Continuous conduction of action potentials involves the generation of an action potential at one site on a neuron's membrane, which then causes local currents that depolarize the adjacent area of the membrane to threshold, thereby generating a new action potential in that area. This process repeats along the length of the axon, allowing the action potential to propagate continuously along the axon.
Learning Objectives
- Recognize the stages of an action potential and determine the elements influencing the velocity of action potential propagation, particularly the role of myelination.