Which potential is critical for neuron activation?

The action potential is a fundamental concept in neurophysiology and is critical for neuron activation. It represents a rapid and temporary change in the electrical membrane potential of a neuron. When a neuron receives a strong enough stimulus, it depolarizes to a certain threshold, leading to a cascade of events that result in the rapid influx of sodium ions. This influx causes the membrane potential to become positive, allowing the neuron to transmit an electrical signal along its axon to communicate with other neurons, muscles, or glands.

In contrast, hyperpolarization refers to the process where the membrane potential becomes more negative than the resting potential, which inhibits neuron activation. Resting potential is the state of a neuron when it is not firing, and while it is essential for maintaining the readiness of a neuron to fire, it does not itself activate the neuron. Refractory potential occurs after an action potential, during which a neuron cannot fire another action potential for a brief period. Therefore, it is the action potential that is essential for activating neurons and propagating signals within the nervous system.