What causes the rapid change in the resting membrane potential that initiates an action potential?
A) Potassium gates open and potassium rushes into the cell changing the membrane potential from negative to positive.
B) Sodium gates open and sodium rushes into the cell changing the membrane potential from negative to positive.
C) Sodium gates close allowing potassium into the cell to changing the membrane potential from positive to negative.
D) Potassium gates close allowing sodium into the cell to change the membrane potential from positive to negative.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rapid change in the resting membrane potential that initiates an action potential is caused by the opening of sodium (Na+) gates and the influx of positively charged sodium ions into the cell, changing the membrane potential from negative to positive. This is called depolarization and is the first step in the generation of an action potential.

What Causes the Rapid Change in the Resting Membrane Potential