Problem 8

Background and context

A sudden, rapid, temporary, and propagating change of resting membrane potential is called an action potential. Only muscle cells and neurons are capable of producing an action potential and this property is called excitability. From an electrical aspect, it is caused by excitation with a fixed value expressed in millivolts [mV]. Not all stimuli can cause an action potential. The adequate excitation must have a sufficient electrochemical value that will reduce the negativity of the nerve cell to the threshold of an action potential.