action potential

noun, Physiology
1.
the change in electrical potential that occurs between the inside and outside of a nerve or muscle fiber when it is stimulated, serving to transmit nerve signals.
Compare nerve impulse.
Origin
1925-30
Examples from the web for action potential
  • The voltage created by an action potential is not really something that is adjusted by amino acids.
British Dictionary definitions for action potential

action potential

noun
1.
a localized change in electrical potential, from about –70 mV to +30 mV and back again, that occurs across a nerve fibre during transmission of a nerve impulse
action potential in Medicine

action potential n.
The change in membrane potential occurring in nerve, muscle, or other excitable tissue when excitation occurs.

action potential in Science
action potential
  (āk'shən)   
A momentary change in electrical potential on the surface of a neuron or muscle cell. Nerve impulses are action potentials. They either stimulate a change in polarity in another neuron or cause a muscle cell to contract.
action potential in Culture

action potential definition


The rapid change in electric potential that parts of a nerve cell undergo when a nerve impulse is generated. Unlike ordinary electric current, which consists of the flow of electrons, the action potential involves the movement of sodium and potassium ions across the cell membrane.