PATHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -An action potential is defined as a sudden, fast, transitory, and propagating change of the resting membrane potential. Only neurons and muscle cells are capable of generating an action potential; that property is called the excitability.

Detailed explanation-2: -The electrical signals produced by this booster system are called action potentials (which are also referred to as “spikes” or “impulses”). The best way to observe an action potential is to use an intracellular microelectrode to record directly the electrical potential across the neuronal plasma membrane (Figure 2.1).

Detailed explanation-3: -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".