The following paragraph walks through what happens when we open and close ion ch

Question

The following paragraph walks through what happens when we open and close ion channels to change the membrane potential of a neuron:

A small, local change in the membrane potential of the neuron is called a local potential It may have one of two effects: it may make the membrane more positive, a change called __________, or it may make the membrane potential more negative, a change called ________ . If a positive change in membrane potential reaches a value called _______ ________, channels open, initiating an event known as an __________ _________ . This event has three phases in a neuron: 1)___________ , mediated by the influx of _________ ions; 2)__________ , mediated by the outflow of _______ ions; and 3)__________, mediated by the continued outflow of _______ ions.

Explanation / Answer

A small, local change in the membrane potential of the neuron is called a local potential. It may have one of two effects: it may make the membrane more positive, a change called depolarization, or it may make the membrane potential more negative, a change called hyperpolarization. If a positive change in membrane potential reaches a value called threshold potential, channels open, initiating an event known as an action potential. This event has three phases in a neuron: 1) depolarization, mediated by the influx of sodium ions; 2) repolarization, mediated by the outflow of potassium ions; and 3) hyperpolarization, mediated by the continued outflow of potassium ions.

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