The relative refractory period coincides with the hyperpolarization phase of the action potential.

The relative refractory period refers to that time during which a stronger stimulus will lead to the generation of a new action potential

The absolute refractory period refers to that time during which a stronger stimulus will lead to the generation of a new action potential

The refractory period is caused by the hyperpolarization phase of the action potential.

The refractory period is important in preventing the overlap of succeeding action potentials

Allows electrotonic flow at the nodes of Ranvier

Permits action potentials to travel continuously along the entire axon

Allows saltatory conduction from one node of Ranvier to the next

Permits action potentials to flow continuously under the myelin sheath

Permits action potentials to jump directly from one node of Ranvier to the next

More voltage gated Na+ channels open and there is a lower threshold for action potentials

Voltage gated Na+ channels recover at different rates and an action potential can be triggered by a strong stimulus

All Na+ channels are closed and no action potentials can be generated

Voltage gated Na+ channels being to recover at different rates but not the voltage-gated K+ channels

Voltage gated K+ channels begin to recover at different rates and an action potential can be triggered by a strong stimulus

Action potential propagation is faster for strong stimuli than for weaker stimuli.

Action potential propagation is faster in large diameter fibers than in small diameter ones

Current flows from the active area of the membrane to the adjacent inactive area, thereby decreasing the potential in the inactive area to threshold

Action potential propagation is faster in myelinated fibers than in unmyelinated ones

Saltatory conduction occurs in myelinated nerve fibers

3, 2, 1, 4

1, 2, 3, 4

4, 1, 2, 3

2, 1, 4, 3

3, 4, 1, 2

small diameter axons have a higher density of voltage-gated Na⁺ channels

large diameter axons have a higher density of voltage-gated Na⁺ channels

electrotonic current flow is faster in large diameter axons

neurons with large diameter axons have shorter refractory periods

current can flow further electrotonically before an AP has to be regenerated

There is relatively less leakage of current in large diameter neurons allowing AP production over a larger region over the same period of time

Small diameter axons use saltatory conduction to slow down transmission

Large diameter axons have a higher density of voltage gated Na+ channels.

There is relatively less leakage of current in small diameter neurons allowing AP production over a larger region over the same period of time

Large diameter axons have lower thresholds for the AP.

To ensure that current flow is unidrectional

To reduce the leakage of current as it flows passively down an electrical gradient

To reduce the loss of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase activity

To protect voltage-gated Na+ channels from auto-immune attack

To protect voltage-gated Na⁺ channels from toxic viruses

Speed up the conduction velocity because loss of the myelin sheath will reduce the number of action potentials that has to be produced

Slow down the conduction velocity because loss of the myelin sheath will increase the number of action potentials that has to be produced

Speed up the conduction velocity because loss of the myelin sheath will increase the number of action potentials that has to be produced

Speed up the conduction velocity because loss of the myelin sheath will reduce axon diameter

Slow down the conduction velocity because loss of the myelin sheath will reduce the number of action potentials that has to be produced