Local potentials A) are propagated down the length of the axon B) if strong enough, activate voltage gated channels to initiate and action potential. C) are another name for action potentials D) are produced by the brief influx of K⁺ from the neuron E) are produced by the brief efflux of Na⁺ from the neuron

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Local potentials are small changes in the membrane potential that occur in response to stimulation of a neuron. They are graded, meaning the amplitude of the potential varies with the strength of the stimulus. Local potentials can be depolarizing (moving the membrane potential closer to the threshold for an action potential) or hyperpolarizing (moving the membrane potential further from the threshold for an action potential). If a depolarizing local potential is strong enough, it can activate voltage-gated channels to initiate an action potential. Local potentials do not propagate down the entire length of the axon, but rather they attenuate (weaken) as they spread along the membrane.

Local Potentials