The conduction of an action potential along any axon is mediated by the action of
A) nodes of Ranvier.
B) voltage-activated ion channels.
C) ligand-activated ion channels.
D) myelin.
E) EPSPs.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Voltage-activated ion channels open and allow the influx of sodium ions during depolarization, leading to the propagation of an action potential along an axon. Nodes of Ranvier and myelin help to speed up the conduction of the action potential, but they are not responsible for initiating it. Ligand-activated ion channels are involved in synaptic transmission but not in the conduction of the action potential itself. EPSPs (excitatory postsynaptic potentials) are changes in the membrane potential that can lead to the generation of an action potential if they reach threshold, but they are not involved in the conduction of the action potential along an axon.

The Conduction of an Action Potential Along Any Axon Is