Once the threshold potential of a nerve impulse is acheived
A) an action potential may occur or it may not.
B) an action potential will occur.
C) sodium ions close.
D) the resting potential immediately follows.
E) none of these will happen.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The threshold potential is the minimum amount of depolarization needed to generate an action potential. Once this threshold is reached, an action potential will always occur, thus choice B is correct. Sodium ions will actually rush into the cell at this point, triggering the action potential. The resting potential will not immediately follow the threshold potential since the action potential must first be completed. Therefore, choices A, C, and D are incorrect.

Once the Threshold Potential of a Nerve Impulse Is Acheived