excitable cells

Question 1

define voltage-gated channel

Answer 1

ion protein channels that are activated by changes in the electrical membrane potential near the channel; membrane potential alters the conformation of the channel proteins, regulating opening and closing

Question 2

define channel inactivation

Answer 2

conformational change of a channel protein; from open state to inactive state

Question 3

define positive feedback

Answer 3

amplification of an effect by its own influence on the process which gives rise to it e.g. Na+ influx during action potential