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Exercise 3: Neurophysiology of Nerve Impulses: Activity 5: The Action Potential: Measuring Its Absolute and Relative
Refractory Periods Lab Report
1. Which of the following occurs after the peak of the action potential?
You correctly answered: d. All of these occur.
4. It is harder to generate a second action potential soon after the first action potential because
You correctly answered: d. All of these make it harder to generate a second action potential.
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Experiment Results
Predict Question:
Predict Question: If you further decrease the interval between the stimuli, will the threshold for the second action potential
change?
Your answer : c. The threshold for the second action potential will be higher (requiring a larger depolarization).
Experiment Data:
Interval Between Stimuli (msec) Stimulus Voltage (mV) Second Action Potential?
250 20 Yes
125 20 Yes
60 20 No
60 25 No
60 30 Yes
30 30 No
30 35 No
30 40 No
30 45 Yes
15 60 Yes
7.5 60 Yes
3.75 60 No
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Post-lab Quiz Results
You scored 100% by answering 5 out of 5 questions correctly.
2. As the interval between stimuli decreases, the depolarization needed to generate the second action potential
You correctly answered: a. increases.
3. Judging from your results, what time period after the first action potential best describes the relative refractory period
(the time when a second action potential can be generated only if the stimulus intensity is increased)?
You correctly answered: c. 7.5 ms-60 msec
4. At what interval between stimuli did the second action potential fail, regardless of the stimulus intensity?
You correctly answered: d. 3.75 msec
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Review Sheet Results
1. Define inactivation as it applies to a voltage-gated sodium channel.
Your answer:
Voltage-gated sodium channels are inactivated when they no longer allow sodium to diffuse through.
3. How did the threshold for the second action potential change as you further decreased the interval between the stimuli?
How well did the results compare with your prediction?
Your answer:
The threshold for the second action potential increased as the interval between the stimuli
decreased as predicted.
4. Why is it harder to generate a second action potential during the relative refractory period?
Your answer:
A greater stimulus is required because voltage-gated potassium channels that oppose depolarization are open during this
time.
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