b2 (quest)

Question 1

resting membrane potential

Answer 1

voltage of neuron at rest due to changes in electrochemical gradient

Question 2

electrochemical gradient

Answer 2

difference in chemical concentration/ charge of ion across membrane

Question 3

action potential

• travels down nerve fibre

Answer 3

A rapid rise (depolarisation) and fall (repolarisation) of the membrane electrical potential caused by the opening and closing of ion gates

Question 4

depolarisation

Answer 4

change in electrical potential making the interior less negative (more positive)

Question 5

repolarisation

Answer 5

following depolarisation (electrical potential change makes interior more negative)

Question 6

Refractory period

Answer 6

Na+ channel cannot open, so a new action potential cannot be initiated. Na+/K+ ATPase remains active, slowly restoring potential to the resting potential.