× Didn't find what you were looking for? Ask a question
Top Posters
Since Sunday
y
2
s
2
a
1
w
1
w
1
i
1
m
1
s
1
c
1
k
1
1
m
1
Home Q & A Board Biology-Related Homework Help Anatomy and Physiology
New Topic  
friendlycreep friendlycreep
wrote...
Posts: 2
Rep: 18 0
10 years ago
I'm studying the basics of an action potential, depolarization, repolarization, and hyperpolarization, and I understand it all pretty well, what is happening, and how it happens. The one thing I can't seem to understand is why it is happening. Why do the sodium and potassium ions need to basically swap places, cause all that havoc, and then go back to what they were doing? I know I'm missing something obvious.
Read 542 times
1 Reply

Related Topics

Replies
wrote...
#1
Staff Member
10 years ago
That's what propagates the action potential along the axon. Without this movement, they message couldn't be transmitted.

Need to a watch this to understand: http://www.learn.ppdictionary.com/resources/ActnPtnlPropagation.htm
- Master of Science in Biology
- Bachelor of Science
New Topic      
Quick Reply
Explore
Post your homework questions and get free online help from our incredible volunteers
  1046 People Browsing
 131 Signed Up Today
Start New Topic Take the Tour CoursesNew Study Tools Topics Trending Browse by Textbook
Live Chat
Related Images
  
 1043
  
 277
  
 518
Your Opinion
Who's your favorite biologist?
Votes: 587
Previous poll results: Who will win the 2024 president election?