How does a depolarizing graded potential lead to the propagation of action potentials?
What will be an ideal response?
A depolarizing graded potential does not reverse the polarity of the cell membrane, but it moves the potential closer to threshold voltage. If threshold voltage is reached, voltage-gated Na+ channels in that region will open, causing an action potential in which the inside border of the membrane becomes positive. This reversal in polarity causes the membrane potential in the adjacent region to reach threshold, which causes voltage-gated Na+ channels in that region to open. Thus, an action potential in one region will change the voltage in an adjacent region significantly enough to generate an action potential there. This process continues and allows the action potentials to be propagated along the plasma membrane.
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