If an incoming message is not strong enough to cause a neuron to fire, it may cause a shift in the electrical charge of just a tiny area of the neuron. This shift, which quickly fades away, is called a(n) ________.
A) resting potential
B) action potential
C) transitional polarization
D) graded potential

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A shift in electrical charge that is too weak to cause an action potential is called a graded potential. Resting potential refers to the electrical charge of a neuron when it is not receiving any input. Action potential refers to the brief spike in electrical charge that occurs when a neuron fires. Transitional polarization is not a term commonly used in neuroscience.

If an Incoming Message Is Not Strong Enough to Cause