Describe an action potential.

A stimulus excites a neuron by causing the opening of sodium channels.
This causes an influx of sodium which causes the opening of other voltage-gated sodium channels.
This causes the membrane to depolarise to threshold. 
Depolarisation is followed by hyperpolarisation where potassium ions leave the cell. 
This returns the membrane to resting potential. 

MK

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe how mRNA is produced in the nucleus of a cell


Explain how restriction endonucleases are used to form recombinant DNA plasmids.


Describe the passive movement through diffusion and explain Fick's Law


Describe how oxygen in the air reaches capillaries surrounding alveoli in the lungs. Details of breathing are not required. (AQA Biol. 2016)