Examine the figure below.Once an action potential is triggered,________.
A) the interior of the cell becomes positively charged relative to the outside
B) the interior of the cell becomes negatively charged relative to the outside
C) all ion channels close
D) the cell soon reaches threshold

Question

Examine the figure below.Once an action potential is triggered,________. 
A) the interior of the cell becomes positively charged relative to the outside 
B) the interior of the cell becomes negatively charged relative to the outside 
C) all ion channels close 
D) the cell soon reaches threshold

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When an action potential is triggered, there is a brief influx of positively charged ions (e.g. Na+) into the cell, which causes the interior of the cell to become positively charged relative to the outside. This depolarization is what allows the action potential to continue propagating along the length of the axon. Therefore, choice A is the best answer. Choices B, C, and D are all incorrect because they do not accurately describe what happens during an action potential.

Examine the Figure Below