Ex Phys Home
Action Potential:
a) Resting membrane potential (RMP) at -70mV. Na+ on outside and K+ on inside of cell

b) As depolarization reaches threshold of -55mV, the action potential is triggered and Na+ rushes into cell. Membrane potential reaches +30mV on action potential

c) Propagation of the action potential at 100 m/sec (which is 225 mph)

d) Repolarization occurs with K+ exiting the cell to return to -70mV RMP

e) Return of ions (Na+ and K+) to their extracellular and intracellular sites by the sodium potassium (Na+K+) pump