Which statement is true about the development of an action potential?
A) Depolarization continues until a potential of +15 mV is reached.
B) It requires three types of gated channels.
C) The action potential ends when the polarity across the membrane reaches +40 mV.
D) Depolarization occurs when sodium gates open and allow sodium ions to enter the axon.
E) Potassium gates open before the sodium gates and allow potassium ions to leave the axon.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Depolarization occurs when sodium gates open and allow sodium ions to enter the axon. This influx of positive ions causes the membrane potential to become more positive, leading to the development of an action potential. The other statements are incorrect - depolarization does not continue until +15 mV, it ends when the polarity reaches +30 to +40 mV; it does not require three types of gated channels, only two (sodium and potassium); and potassium gates do not open before sodium gates, they open later in the process to repolarize the membrane.

Which Statement Is True About the Development of an Action