Question

What are the five steps of an action potential?

Answer 1

Action potential is when the membrane potential of a cell rapidly rises and then falls. This process occurs in several types of animal cells like endocrine cells, muscle cells and in neurons. This also occurs in some of the plant cells.

Complete answer:
In the case of neurons, the action potential is used in the process of cell to cell communication which helps in the propagation of signals which connect neuron to neuron through synapsis. In other cells like in endocrine cells, muscle cells, their main function is to activate the intracellular processes. For example in case of muscle cells they are used for contraction of muscles and in case of pancreas cells they are used for the secretion of insulin.
There are some voltage-gated ion channels embedded in the plasma membrane of cells which generate the action potential in the cell. These channels are closed when the cell is in resting potential. When they get open there is a rapid flow of sodium ions into the cell. After this there is a rapid outflux of potassium ions which makes the electrochemical gradient to the resting stage.
The five steps of an action potential are:
1. Resting potential
2. Threshold
3. Rising phase
4. Falling phase
5. Recovery phase

Note:
Action potential is when the membrane potential of a cell rapidly rises and then falls. In the case of neurons, the action potential is used in the process of cell to cell communication which helps in the propagation of signals which connect neuron to neuron through synapsis. This occurs in animal cells and in some plant cells. The above mentioned are the five steps of an action potential.