Week 2 - Action Potentials

Question 1

What is the ‘absolute refractory peroid’?

Answer 1

the time during which another stimulus from another neuron will not lead to an action potential

Na⁺ channels are inactivated during this time

Question 2

What is the ‘relative refractory period’?

Answer 2

the peroid during which a stronger than normal stimulus is required in order to elicit an action potential

Na⁺ channels begin to recover from inactivation and if a significant stimulus is given, another action potential may be fired