Page Back Page Forward
Return to Electrophysiology Menu
  • When the membrane potential decreases to a threshold value of -60 mV, the voltage sensitive external Na gates open.

    • Once the first Na+ gates open positive Na ions move inside the axon causing a further decrease in the membrane potential, which will result in more Na+ gates opening.

    • This sequence of events represents a positive feedback mechanism that leads to an explosive opening of more and more Na+ channels"

  • courtesy of Robert H. Parsons, Ph.D., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, used with permission

 

 
 
 
Page Back Page Forward
Return to Electrophysiology Menu