Action Potential: Definition, Steps, Facts, Phases, FAQs

Edited By Irshad Anwar | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 06:48 PM IST

Definition Of Action Potential

The action potential is the brief fluctuation in the electrical potential that occurs in the membrane of a nerve cell (neuron) or muscle cell during the transmission of a nerve impulse or the contraction of a muscle fibre.

Action potentials are the main way the cells of the nervous system communicate over long distances and underlie nearly all higher brain functions like perception, action, and thought.

Cellular Basis Of Action Potential

The action potential is generated in the following step-by-step process initialised by the neuron membrane and ion channels:

Structure Of Neuron

The cell body, dendrites, axon
It depolarises due to the opening of sodium channels and repolarises due to the

This Story also Contains

Definition Of Action Potential
Cellular Basis Of Action Potential
Generation of Action Potential
Propagation Of The Action Potential
Factors Determining Action Potential
Action Potential And Transmission Of Nerve Impulse
Disorders Related To Action Potential
Significance In Neurological Research
Recommended Video On ‘Action Potential’

Action Potential: Definition, Steps, Facts, Phases, FAQs

opening of potassium channels.

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Resting Membrane Potential

Normally −70 mV because of ion concentration gradients, the sodium-potassium pump creates.

Generation of Action Potential

Action potential occurs in several phases:

Threshold Potential

Lowest membrane potential that can be used to initiate an action potential.

Depolarisation Phase

Open sodium channels, allow sodium ions to enter, the membrane is thus depolarised.

Repolarisation Phase

Open potassium channels, allowing potassium ions to exit, hence repolarising the membrane.

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Hyperpolarisation Phase

At this point, the membrane potential becomes slightly more negative than at rest.

Propagation Of The Action Potential

Conduction down the axon:

Saltatory Conduction Vs. Continuous Conduction

Saltatory conduction occurs in myelinated axons.
Here, the action potentials jump between the nodes of Ranvier.

Role Of Myelin Sheath

The myelin sheath insulates and speeds up the conduction by reducing ion leakage across the membrane.

Nodes Of Ranvier

They are small gaps in the myelin sheath, where action potentials are regenerated

Factors Determining Action Potential

There are several factors determining action potential kinetics.

Temperature

Higher temperatures increase the conduction velocity.

Axon Diameter

The greater the diameter the less resistance, so conduction takes more rapidly.

Myelinisation

Myelinated axons conduct impulses faster than unmyelinated axons because of the saltatory conduction in myelinated axons.

Action Potential And Transmission Of Nerve Impulse

Action potentials transmit messages through synapses:

Synaptic Transmission

Neurotransmitters are stored in the synaptic vesicles of axon terminals. When an action potential reaches the axon terminals, calcium ions enter the cell, the neurotransmitter gets released into the synapse between the neuron and muscle fibre through which the action potential produces muscle contraction.

Disorders Related To Action Potential

Multiple Sclerosis, where myelin is damaged and the signal does not travel properly.
Medications are used in diseases associated with the modulation of the ion channels or neurotransmitter release in neurological disorders.

Significance In Neurological Research

Action potential research methodologies, and trends:

Techniques within electrophysiology in recording an action potential.

Current Trends In Research

Studying synaptic plasticity, ion channel mutations, and neural circuitry.

Conclusion

Understanding action potential is fundamental to comprehending nervous system function, and ongoing research holds promise for advancing treatments for neurological disorders.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is an action potential?

The action potential is a brief electrical impulse that travels along the membrane of a neuron or muscle cell, vital for communication between cells of the nervous system and muscle contraction.

2. What is an action potential?

An action potential is a brief electrical signal that travels along a neuron's membrane. It's the primary way neurons communicate, allowing information to be transmitted rapidly over long distances in the nervous system. Action potentials are "all-or-nothing" events, meaning they either occur fully or not at all.

3. How is action potential generated?

In a neuron, an action potential is generated when the membrane potential, and thus polarity, becomes sufficiently depolarised in a segment of its membrane. Upon reaching the threshold, depolarisation opens voltage-gated sodium channels and sodium rushes into the cell.

4. What are the phases of an action potential?

An action potential has four phases: threshold potential, depolarisation, repolarisation, and hyperpolarisation, each with the involvement of specific changes in the movement of ions across the cell membrane.

5. How does myelination affect an action potential?

Myelination is insulation for axons, allowing faster conduction of action potentials through saltatory conduction by jumping between the nodes of Ranvier, allowing a more rapid and efficient transmission.

6. What are the clinical implications of the disorders of action potential?

Diseases like multiple sclerosis that affect the myelin may lead to disruptions of the conduction of action potentials, hence causing modifications in neurological behaviour. The pharmacological treatment is based on the modification of ion channel compositions and patterns in active neurotransmitter pathways in the Central Nervous System.

7. Why are action potentials described as "all-or-nothing" events?

Action potentials are called "all-or-nothing" events because they either occur fully or not at all. Once the threshold is reached, the action potential will always have the same magnitude, regardless of the strength of the stimulus. This ensures reliable signal transmission along neurons.

8. Why does hyperpolarization occur after an action potential?

Hyperpolarization occurs because potassium channels remain open briefly after the membrane potential returns to its resting level. This causes the membrane potential to become slightly more negative than the resting potential before the potassium channels close and the resting potential is restored.

9. What is the refractory period, and why is it important?

The refractory period is a brief time after an action potential during which it's difficult or impossible to generate another action potential. It's important because it allows the neuron to reset its ion concentrations and ensures that action potentials travel in one direction along the axon.

10. How does the absolute refractory period differ from the relative refractory period?

During the absolute refractory period, it's impossible to generate another action potential regardless of stimulus strength. This is due to the inactivation of sodium channels. In the relative refractory period, a stronger-than-normal stimulus can trigger an action potential, but it's more difficult than usual.

11. How does myelination affect action potential propagation?

Myelination increases the speed of action potential propagation. Myelin acts as an insulator, reducing ion leakage and capacitance of the axon membrane. This allows action potentials to "jump" from one node of Ranvier to the next in a process called saltatory conduction, greatly increasing transmission speed.

12. What is the role of leak channels in maintaining the resting membrane potential?

Leak channels, also known as background channels, are always open and allow specific ions (mainly potassium) to flow across the membrane. They play a crucial role in establishing and maintaining the resting membrane potential, which is essential for the neuron's ability to generate action potentials.

13. What is the significance of the "threshold of excitation" in action potential generation?

The threshold of excitation is the minimum membrane potential that must be reached to trigger an action potential. It represents a critical point where the number of open sodium channels becomes sufficient to create a self-reinforcing cycle of depolarization. Understanding this concept is crucial for grasping how neurons decide when to fire.

14. What is the significance of the "undershoot" or afterhyperpolarization following an action potential?

The undershoot or afterhyperpolarization is a brief period where the membrane potential is more negative than the resting potential. It's caused by the continued efflux of potassium ions after sodium channels have closed. This phase helps to reset the neuron and contributes to the refractory period.

15. What is the role of the axon initial segment in action potential generation?

The axon initial segment, located at the beginning of the axon, has a high density of voltage-gated sodium channels. This makes it particularly sensitive to changes in membrane potential and often the site where action potentials are initiated before propagating down the axon.

16. How do dendrites integrate multiple synaptic inputs to influence action potential generation?

Dendrites receive and integrate multiple synaptic inputs, both excitatory and inhibitory. They sum these inputs both spatially and temporally. If the sum of these inputs causes the membrane potential at the axon hillock to reach the threshold, an action potential will be generated. This integration allows neurons to process complex information from multiple sources.

17. What is the significance of the "all-or-nothing" principle in terms of information coding in neurons?

The "all-or-nothing" principle ensures that action potentials maintain their amplitude as they propagate along an axon, providing reliable signal transmission. Information is encoded not in the amplitude of individual action potentials, but in their frequency and pattern, as well as which neurons are firing.

18. What is the role of potassium channels in the repolarization phase of an action potential?

Voltage-gated potassium channels play a crucial role in the repolarization phase. They open in response to the membrane depolarization, but more slowly than sodium channels. As they open, potassium ions flow out of the cell, bringing the membrane potential back towards its resting state and ending the action potential.

19. How does the concept of summation relate to action potential generation?

Summation refers to the way neurons integrate multiple inputs. Temporal summation occurs when rapid successive inputs add together. Spatial summation involves the addition of simultaneous inputs from different locations on the neuron. If the sum of these inputs raises the membrane potential to the threshold at the axon hillock, an action potential is generated.

20. How do local anesthetics like lidocaine affect action potentials?

Local anesthetics like lidocaine work by blocking voltage-gated sodium channels. This prevents the rapid influx of sodium ions necessary for the rising phase of the action potential. As a result, neurons in the affected area cannot generate or propagate action potentials, leading to numbness and pain relief.

21. How do changes in the threshold potential affect a neuron's excitability?

Changes in the threshold potential directly affect a neuron's excitability. A lower threshold makes the neuron more excitable, as it requires less depolarization to trigger an action potential. Conversely, a higher threshold makes the neuron less excitable. Various factors, including neuromodulators and prior activity, can influence the threshold.

22. How do neuromodulators affect action potential generation?

Neuromodulators can influence action potential generation by altering the properties of ion channels or changing the resting membrane potential. For example, some neuromodulators can increase or decrease the likelihood of a neuron reaching its threshold potential, effectively changing its excitability.

23. How do sodium channel inactivation gates contribute to the refractory period?

Sodium channel inactivation gates close shortly after the channels open during an action potential. These gates remain closed for a brief period, preventing the channels from reopening immediately. This contributes to the absolute refractory period, during which another action potential cannot be generated regardless of stimulus strength.

24. What is the role of the Na+/K+ ATPase pump in the recovery phase after an action potential?

The Na+/K+ ATPase pump plays a crucial role in restoring ion gradients after an action potential. It pumps sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions in, using energy from ATP. This process is essential for maintaining the resting potential and preparing the neuron for subsequent action potentials.

25. What causes the falling phase of an action potential?

The falling phase is primarily caused by two factors: the inactivation of sodium channels and the opening of voltage-gated potassium (K+) channels. As potassium ions flow out of the neuron, they repolarize the membrane, bringing the potential back towards its resting state.

26. How does the diameter of an axon affect action potential conduction velocity?

Axon diameter is directly related to conduction velocity. Larger diameter axons conduct action potentials faster than smaller ones. This is because larger axons have less internal resistance, allowing for quicker spread of the electrical signal.

27. What is the role of the Na+/K+ ATPase pump in maintaining the conditions for action potentials?

The Na+/K+ ATPase pump helps maintain the concentration gradients of sodium and potassium ions across the cell membrane. It pumps sodium out of the cell and potassium in, using energy from ATP. This maintains the resting potential and allows the neuron to generate multiple action potentials over time.

28. What is the significance of the threshold potential?

The threshold potential is the membrane potential at which an action potential is triggered. It represents the point at which enough voltage-gated sodium channels open to create a self-reinforcing cycle of depolarization. Understanding the threshold is crucial for comprehending how neurons decide when to fire.

29. What is the significance of the "overshoot" during an action potential?

The overshoot refers to the brief period during an action potential when the membrane potential becomes positive (usually around +40 mV). This overshoot is crucial for ensuring the action potential's all-or-nothing nature and for triggering voltage-gated potassium channels, which are essential for repolarization.

30. How does the resting membrane potential differ from an action potential?

The resting membrane potential is the steady electrical charge difference across a neuron's membrane when it's not stimulated, typically around -70 mV. An action potential, on the other hand, is a rapid, temporary change in this potential, involving depolarization (becoming more positive) followed by repolarization (returning to the resting state).

31. What triggers an action potential?

An action potential is triggered when a neuron receives enough stimulation to reach its threshold potential, typically around -55 mV. This stimulation can come from various sources, such as neurotransmitters binding to receptors or direct electrical stimulation.

32. What role do voltage-gated ion channels play in action potentials?

Voltage-gated ion channels are crucial for action potentials. They open and close in response to changes in membrane potential, allowing specific ions to flow in or out of the neuron. This controlled ion movement is what creates the characteristic shape and progression of an action potential.

33. How do sodium (Na+) channels contribute to the rising phase of an action potential?

During the rising phase, voltage-gated sodium channels open rapidly in response to the initial depolarization. This allows sodium ions to rush into the neuron, further depolarizing the membrane. This positive feedback loop creates the sharp upstroke of the action potential.

34. What is the importance of the axon hillock in action potential generation?

The axon hillock is the region where the axon emerges from the cell body. It's particularly important because it typically has the lowest threshold for generating an action potential. This makes it the usual site where action potentials are initiated before propagating down the axon.

35. How do graded potentials differ from action potentials?

Graded potentials are small, localized changes in membrane potential that can be additive and vary in size. Unlike action potentials, they decrease in strength as they move along the membrane. Action potentials, conversely, are all-or-nothing events that maintain their strength as they propagate.

36. What is the difference between orthodromic and antidromic conduction of action potentials?

Orthodromic conduction refers to the normal direction of action potential propagation, from the cell body towards the axon terminal. Antidromic conduction is the opposite, where an action potential travels from the axon terminal towards the cell body. In normal functioning, action potentials typically conduct orthodromically.

37. What is the difference between a graded potential and an action potential in terms of signal decay?

Graded potentials decay over distance, becoming weaker as they spread along the membrane. In contrast, action potentials do not decay; they are regenerated at each point along the axon, maintaining their strength over long distances. This property allows action potentials to transmit signals over greater lengths.

38. How do gap junctions influence action potential propagation between neurons?

Gap junctions are direct electrical connections between adjacent cells. They allow for the rapid, passive spread of electrical signals, including small changes in membrane potential. While they don't directly propagate action potentials, they can facilitate the spread of depolarization, potentially triggering action potentials in connected neurons.

39. How does temperature affect action potential generation and propagation?

Temperature can significantly impact action potentials. Higher temperatures generally increase the speed of ion channel opening and closing, as well as the rate of ion diffusion. This typically results in faster action potential generation and propagation. Conversely, lower temperatures slow these processes.

40. How do neurotoxins that block sodium channels affect action potentials?

Neurotoxins that block sodium channels, such as tetrodotoxin, prevent the generation of action potentials. Without the rapid influx of sodium ions, the membrane cannot depolarize sufficiently to reach the threshold potential, effectively silencing the neuron.

41. How do changes in extracellular ion concentrations affect action potentials?

Changes in extracellular ion concentrations can significantly impact action potentials. For example, increased extracellular potassium can depolarize the resting membrane potential, making neurons more excitable. Conversely, decreased extracellular sodium can reduce the magnitude of action potentials.

42. What is the relationship between stimulus strength and action potential frequency?

While the amplitude of an action potential is always the same (all-or-nothing), the frequency of action potentials can vary with stimulus strength. Stronger stimuli generally lead to higher frequencies of action potentials, allowing neurons to encode information about stimulus intensity.

43. What is the role of calcium ions in synaptic transmission following an action potential?

When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it triggers the opening of voltage-gated calcium channels. The influx of calcium ions causes synaptic vesicles to fuse with the membrane and release neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft, initiating synaptic transmission.

44. How do inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) affect the likelihood of an action potential?

Inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) make it less likely for a neuron to generate an action potential. They do this by hyperpolarizing the membrane or by counteracting excitatory inputs, effectively moving the membrane potential further from the threshold required to trigger an action potential.

45. How do changes in membrane capacitance affect action potential propagation?

Membrane capacitance affects the speed of action potential propagation. Lower capacitance allows for faster changes in membrane potential, speeding up action potential propagation. Myelination effectively lowers membrane capacitance, which is one reason why myelinated axons conduct action potentials faster than unmyelinated ones.

46. What is the relationship between action potentials and the release of neurotransmitters?

When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it triggers the opening of voltage-gated calcium channels. The resulting influx of calcium ions causes synaptic vesicles containing neurotransmitters to fuse with the cell membrane, releasing their contents into the synaptic cleft. Thus, action potentials are crucial for chemical synaptic transmission.

47. How do changes in axon diameter affect the space constant and action potential propagation?

The space constant is the distance along a passive neuronal process over which a change in membrane potential decays to 37% of its original value. Larger diameter axons have a longer space constant, allowing for more efficient spread of charge. This contributes to faster action potential propagation in larger axons.

48. How do different types of ion channels contribute to the shape of an action potential?

Different ion channels contribute to specific phases of the action potential. Voltage-gated sodium channels are responsible for the rapid rising phase. Voltage-gated potassium channels contribute to the falling phase and hyperpolarization. Some neurons also have calcium channels that can prolong the action potential or contribute to a plateau phase.

49. What is the role of voltage-gated calcium channels in certain types of neurons?

In some neurons, voltage-gated calcium channels contribute to the action potential, particularly in creating a plateau phase. They're also crucial in axon terminals, where calcium influx triggers neurotransmitter release. In cardiac cells, calcium channels play a major role in the action potential and contraction coupling.

50. What is the significance of the refractory period in preventing back-propagation of action potentials?

The refractory period prevents action potentials from traveling backwards along an axon. As an action potential propagates, the region it just passed through is briefly unexcitable (absolute refractory period) or less excitable (relative refractory period). This ensures that the signal only travels in one direction, from the cell body towards the axon terminal.

51. How do changes in extracellular potassium concentration affect the resting potential and action potential generation?

Increased extracellular potassium concentration reduces the concentration gradient for potassium efflux, leading to a more depolarized resting potential. This can make neurons more excitable, lowering the threshold for action potential generation. Extremely high potassium levels can lead to sustained depolarization, preventing normal action potential firing.

52. What is the role of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels in some neurons?

HCN channels are activated by hyperpolarization and conduct both sodium and potassium ions. They can cause a depolarizing "sag" following hyperpolarization and contribute to rhythmic firing in some neurons. These channels play important roles in cardiac pacemaker cells and some neurons involved in rhythmic behaviors.