ACTION

POTENTIAL 
PART-2
You will Learn:
Propagation of Action Potential
Course Outcome: CO1
 Recap of Action
Potential

•Ion Channels
•Na+ and K+ Pumps
•Significance of threshold   
  voltage (-55mV)
•All or nothing Phenomenon
 Action Potential Propagation

A B C

Action potential is
generated at one end
of the Axon and
propagates down the
axon
A B C A B C A B C

1 2 3

• Beginning of Action potential. • Section A is in • Section A is in Resting

• Section A is in Depolarization Repolarization. state.
• Section B and C are in resting • Depolarization Starts in • B is in repolarization and C
state section B. is in Depolarization.
• +ve ions diffuse • +ve ions entering will
to neighboring region which diffuse to neighboring
triggers action potential in B. region

Why Action Potential propagates only in one direction??????

• When Na+ K+ Pumps are active the ions
channels cannot be activated.
• So an Action potential cannot be triggered
in section A from section B.
• Absolute Refractory period- No new action
potential can be triggered.
• Relative refractory period- A stronger
stimulus can trigger a new action potential.
• 150m/s average speed of propagation of
action potential
How neuron differentiates different stimulus?

Amplitude of Action
potential will not change...

Then what changes????

FREQUENCY
Action potential for weak and strong stimulus
Weak stimulus

• Stronger the stimulus more

action potentials will be
generated per second.

• Amplitude of the action

potential remains the same.

Stronger stimulus • Similar to FREQUENCY

MODULATION