What happens during depolarization?

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $24.99Unlock all

Prepare for the Dental Hygiene Local Anesthesia Test with our comprehensive resources. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions with detailed explanations to boost your confidence and ace the exam!

Multiple Choice

What happens during depolarization?

Explanation:
Depolarization is the phase when the nerve cell’s interior becomes less negative as the stimulus opens voltage-gated sodium channels and sodium rushes into the cell. This inward positive current drives the membrane potential toward zero and beyond, initiating the action potential. The movement described—sodium entering and potassium leaving—captures the main ionic changes associated with this phase, even though potassium efflux is more characteristic of repolarization, which follows depolarization to restore the resting potential. In dental anesthesia, blocking sodium channels prevents this influx, stopping depolarization and nerve conduction.

Depolarization is the phase when the nerve cell’s interior becomes less negative as the stimulus opens voltage-gated sodium channels and sodium rushes into the cell. This inward positive current drives the membrane potential toward zero and beyond, initiating the action potential. The movement described—sodium entering and potassium leaving—captures the main ionic changes associated with this phase, even though potassium efflux is more characteristic of repolarization, which follows depolarization to restore the resting potential. In dental anesthesia, blocking sodium channels prevents this influx, stopping depolarization and nerve conduction.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy