When voltage-gated Na⁺ channels of a resting neuron open,
A) Na⁺ enters the neuron.
B) Na⁺ leaves the neuron.
C) the neuron depolarizes.
D) Na⁺ enters the neuron and the neuron depolarizes.
E) Na⁺ leaves the neuron and the neuron depolarizes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When voltage-gated Na⁺ channels of a resting neuron open, Na⁺ enters the neuron and the neuron depolarizes. This is because the extracellular fluid is more positively charged than the inside of the neuron, so the positively charged Na⁺ ions move into the cell, reducing the polarity of the cell membrane and depolarizing it.

When Voltage-Gated Na⁺ Channels of a Resting Neuron Open