The difference between a weak stimulus and an intense stimulus is
A) a weak stimulus produces a weak action potential, while a strong stimulus produces a strong action potential.
B) a weak stimulus only opens sodium gates, while a strong stimulus opens both sodium and potassium gates.
C) an intense stimulus can cause an axon to start an axon potential more often in a given time interval than a weak stimulus.
D) a weak stimulus, unlike a strong stimulus, will not require repolarization.
E) an intense stimulus causes more sodium ions to diffuse into the cell.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The difference between a weak stimulus and an intense stimulus is that an intense stimulus can cause an axon to start an action potential more often in a given time interval than a weak stimulus. This is because a strong stimulus triggers more voltage-gated sodium channels to open, allowing more sodium ions to diffuse into the cell and creating a larger depolarization. As a result, the threshold for triggering an action potential is reached more quickly and with greater frequency, leading to a more intense response.

The Difference Between a Weak Stimulus and an Intense Stimulus