action potential

Noun

Meaning

the local voltage change across the cell wall as a nerve impulse is transmitted

Source: WordNet

Synonyms

retina axon nerve fiber nerve cell depolarization electromyography electrochemical cell ganglion cell neural impulse bipolar cell impulse-conducting cell conducting cell amacrine cell axon potential axon firing signal
Show all synonyms

Hypernyms

impulse nerve impulse nervous impulse neural impulse

Examples

Acetylcholine binds to acetylcholine receptors at the postsynaptic membrane to open the sodium-channels there, generating a new action potential. Source: Internet

Although a single EPSP was not enough to fire an action potential in the motor neuron, the sum of several EPSPs from multiple sensory neurons synapsing onto the motor neuron could cause the motor neuron to fire, thus contracting the quadriceps. Source: Internet

A neurotransmitter influences trans-membrane ion flow either to increase (excitatory) or to decrease (inhibitory) the probability that the cell with which it comes in contact will produce an action potential. Source: Internet

Afterward, inside the presynaptic terminal, a new set of vesicles are moved into position next to the membrane, ready to be released when the next action potential arrives. Source: Internet

Cl − causes hyperpolarization within the neuron, decreasing the probability of an action potential firing as the voltage becomes more negative (recall that for an action potential to fire, a positive voltage threshold must be reached). Source: Internet

Dots indicate positions where action potentials were recorded, with color indicating which neuron emitted that action potential. Source: Internet

Close letter words and terms

action plan action plant action point action potential duration action potentials action principle