Neuroscience Quiz: Action Potential

What is the resting potential of a neuron?

• -55 mV

• -70 mV

• -60 mV

• -50 mV

What causes new channels called gated ion channels to open in the cell membrane?

• Threshold voltage

• Decrease in positive charge

• Depolarization

• Increase in negative charge

What happens during depolarization of a neuron?

• The inside of the cell becomes more positively charged than the outside

• The inside of the cell becomes more negatively charged

• The cell ditches its normal negative-inside-positive-outside configuration

• The potential difference of the membrane starts to drop rapidly

What is the purpose of ion pumps in the cell membrane during the action potential?

• To close the potassium channels

• To hyperpolarize the cell

• To open the sodium channels

• To pump excess sodium back out

What happens to the membrane potential after the action potential has been fired?

• It hyperpolarizes

• It returns to normal resting state

• It becomes more positively charged

• It remains the same

How long does it take for a cell to process the information and adjust its channels and pumps during the action potential?

• 1 nanosecond

• 1 microsecond

• 1 millisecond

• 1 second

What is the term for the electrical difference even more negative than normal that occurs after the action potential?

• Resting potential

• Threshold voltage

• Depolarization

• Hyperpolarization