Understanding Neurons and Action Potentials

What is the basic unit of communication in the nervous system?

• Axon

• Neuron

• Dendrite

• Myelin Sheath

What is the term used to describe the electrical impulse that neurons fire?

• Voltage spike

• Neural impulse

• Action potential

• Electrical discharge

What can neurons vary to communicate different messages?

• The temperature of the signal

• The color of the signal

• The strength of the signal

• The frequency of pulses

What is the resting membrane potential of a neuron?

• 0 millivolts

• +40 millivolts

• -70 millivolts

• -55 millivolts

What maintains the difference in concentration of sodium and potassium ions across a neuron's membrane?

• Voltage-gated channels

• Membrane potential

• Ion channels

• Sodium-potassium pump

What triggers the opening of voltage-gated sodium channels in neurons?

• An increase in membrane potential

• A decrease in membrane potential

• Reaching a threshold of -55 mV

• A decrease in sodium outside the neuron

What is the primary purpose of the refractory period in neural communication?

• To recharge the sodium-potassium pump

• To prevent signals from traveling in both directions

• To allow the neuron to rest

• To increase the speed of the action potential

What affects a neuron's transmission speed the most?

• The length of the axon

• The presence of a myelin sheath

• The size of the neuron

• The number of dendrites

What is the process called when an action potential leaps from one Node of Ranvier to the next?

• Saltatory conduction

• Rapid conduction

• Jumping conduction

• Linear conduction

What does a weak stimulus tend to trigger in terms of action potentials?

• Stronger action potentials

• More frequent action potentials

• Less frequent action potentials

• No action potentials