Pamela Douglas

Psych 2
Action Potential Worksheet

RESTING STATE:
When a neuron is not sending a signal, it is "at rest." At rest, the charge of the inside of
the neuron is negative_ (1) relative to the outside. The _Resting Potential_(2) of the
neuron is usually at -70 mV (millivolts). At rest, there are many sodium ions (Na +) on the
_outside_ (3) of the cell.
ACTIVATED STATE:
When a single excitatory input comes into the dendrite a _EPSP (4) is generated. When
a single inhibitory potential is generated, this is called an IPSP_ (5). There are two
ways that these impulses can be added together: Spatial_ (6) and _Temporal_ (7)
summation.
These impulses travel down the dendrites to the soma, and then to the area where the
soma meets the axon, known as the _Axon Hillock_(8). At this summation junction, if
the cell is depolarized or activated sufficiently, a _Action Potential (9) will be fired down
the axon. The voltage level that must be reached for an action potential to be fired is
known as the _Threshold_ (10).
Conduction down the axon is known as _Saltatory Conduction_ (11), since the sodium
ions carry the impulse. Sodium Channels are located at the _Node of Ranvier_(12), or
the unmyelinated parts of the axon. When an action potential reaches the end of the
axon or the axon terminal, then _Neurotransmitter_ (13) is released into the area
between two adjacent neurons, or the _Synapse_(14).
Word choices:
Negative

Positive

Resting Potential

Node of Ranvier

Inside

Outside

EPSP

Saltatory Conduction

Pamela Douglas

Psych 2

IPSP

Spatial

Action Potential

temporal

Threshold

Axon Hillock

Neurotransmitter

Synapse