The time following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated is called the _____ period.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The period following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated is called the refractory period. During this time, the membrane potential of the neuron is temporarily unresponsive to new stimuli, as the Na+ channels are still inactivated and the membrane potential is still close to the equilibrium potential of K+. This period is further divided into two phases: the absolute refractory period, during which no stimulus can produce an action potential, and the relative refractory period, during which a stronger than usual stimulus can produce an action potential.

The Time Following an Action Potential During Which a New