Action potential

Citation:

Lerner KL. Action potential. (Preprint) Originally published in K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner, Eds. World of Anatomy and Physiology. Thomson | Gale . 2002.
Action potential

Abstract:

An action potential is a series of electrical and underlying chemical changes that travels down the length of a neural cell (neuron). It represents a change in electrical potential from the resting potential of the neuronal cell membrane. The neural impulse is created by the controlled development of action potentials that sweep down the body (axon) of a neural cell.

 

There are two major control and communication systems in the human body, the endocrine system and the nervous system. In many respects, these two systems are complementary. Endocrine hormonal regulation creates long-term effects, while the nervous system is a mechanism for nearly immediate control (which includes homeostatic mechanisms such as blood pressure regulation). Action potentials are a central feature of this rapid communication in the body. (download to read more)

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.31550.15682
Last updated on 10/25/2022