Nerves

Question 1

What is the role of the graded potential?

Answer 1

Determines when an action potential should be fired

Question 2

What is the resting membrane potential?

Answer 2

The inside of the membrane is negative with respect to the outside.
This is kept in check by the Na+/ K+ pump pumping sodium out of the cell and potassium in, as well as the potassium ion channels, allowing potassium to flow down the conc. gradient and out of the cell
This allows the membrane to be ready for an action potential to fire

Question 3

In terms of membrane potential, what is meant by depolarisation?

Answer 3

Making the membrane less polar- so more positive

Question 4

In terms of membrane potential, what is meant by hyperpolarisation?

Answer 4

Making the membrane more polar- so more negative

Question 5

In terms of membrane potential, what is meant by repolarisation?

Answer 5

Returning the potential to the RMP of approx. -70Mev