MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY

PHYSIOLOGY

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
An electrical impulse within a single neuron is called a
A
synapse
B
membrane potential
C
action potential
D
cell body
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -An action potential, also called a nerve impulse, is an electrical charge that travels along the membrane of a neuron. It can be generated when a neuron’s membrane potential is changed by chemical signals from a nearby cell.

Detailed explanation-2: -Action potentials (those electrical impulses that send signals around your body) are nothing more than a temporary shift (from negative to positive) in the neuron’s membrane potential caused by ions suddenly flowing in and out of the neuron.

Detailed explanation-3: -Neurons conduct electrical impulses by using the Action Potential. This phenomenon is generated through the flow of positively charged ions across the neuronal membrane.

Detailed explanation-4: -A single action potential that generates a single contraction, followed by complete relaxation is called a muscle twitch.

Detailed explanation-5: -Action potentials in neurons are also known as “nerve impulses” or “spikes", and the temporal sequence of action potentials generated by a neuron is called its “spike train". A neuron that emits an action potential, or nerve impulse, is often said to “fire".

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