asked 158k views
5 votes
What happens after a subthreshold depolarization?

1) a full action potential
2) a partial action potential
3) no action potential
4) inhibition of an action potential

asked
User Subrata
by
8.0k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

No action potential will occur following a subthreshold depolarization, as it does not reach the required threshold potential of -55 mV which is needed to generate an action potential.(option 3)

Step-by-step explanation:

After a subthreshold depolarization, no action potential will occur. Action potentials follow an "all or none" law, meaning they either happen completely, or they don't happen at all.

A subthreshold depolarization does not reach the critical threshold potential, which is typically around -55 mV. For an action potential to occur, this threshold must be crossed, leading to the opening of voltage-gated Na+ channels and a subsequent rapid depolarization of the neuron's membrane.

If the threshold is not reached, the neuron simply returns to its resting membrane potential without firing an action potential.

answered
User Ilium
by
8.4k points
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