An Action Potential Can Best Be Described as a _____

Question

An action potential can best be described as a _____.  
A) trigger zone
B) kinetic activity
C) brief reversal in the polarity of the electric gradient across the plasma membrane
D) peak of energy that does not resolve to its former state
E) brief increase in the polarity of the electric gradient across the plasma membrane

Accepted Answer

An action potential is a brief reversal in the polarity of the electric gradient across the plasma membrane. During an action potential, the inside of the cell becomes briefly more positively charged than the outside, which allows for the transfer of electrical signals. Choices A, B, D, and E do not accurately describe an action potential.