If the absolute refractory period did not exist in the cycle of an action potential, which of the following should be possible?
A)Sodium would not have to be recycled.
B)There should be almost no limit on how fast a neuron can fire.
C)The resting potential of a neuron would be zero.
D)Action potentials would be much larger.
E)There would be no need for a postsynaptic receptor site.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The absolute refractory period is a time during which a neuron cannot fire again, regardless of the strength of the incoming signal. Without this period, neurons could fire more rapidly because they wouldn't need to wait for this refractory period to end before being able to initiate another action potential. This would theoretically allow for much faster firing rates.

If the Absolute Refractory Period Did Not Exist in the Cycle