Voltage-gated Na+ channels become automatically inactivated shortly after opening, which ensures that the action potential cannot move backward along the axon. True False
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The inactivation of sodium channels after opening prevents the action potential from moving backward along the axon. This is because the sodium channels are inactivated and cannot open again until the membrane potential returns to its resting state. This ensures Show more…
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"Voltage gated sodium channels inactivate at the peak of the action potential." True or False
Adi S.
The refractory period allows an action potential to move in one direction in a neuron and is due to voltage-gated Na+ channels being briefly inactivated and not opening regardless of membrane potential; voltage-gated Ca+ channels being briefly inactivated and not opening regardless of membrane potential; voltage-gated Na+ channels closing due to a change in the membrane potential; voltage-gated Ca+ channels closing and waiting for the next action potential; high Na+ concentration outside the neuron preventing voltage-gated Na+ channels from opening.
An action potential at a given stretch of a neuron's axon does not re-stimulate the neighboring region that was previously depolarized because in that region: A. the voltage-gated K+ channels are blocked by inactivation loops. B. there is an imbalance in the Na+ and K+ concentrations between the cell and the extracellular fluid. C. the voltage-gated Na+ channels are closed but not inactivated. D. the voltage-gated Na+ channels are open. E. the voltage-gated sodium channels are inactivated.
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