Question

bio-201 topic 2: cell physiology & tissues
practice it
what is the all - or - nothing principle of action potentials?
an action potential can be halted by a strong initial depolarization event.
once an action potential is initiated, it will proceed to completion regardless of the strength of the initial depolarization event.
action potentials can be initiated without any depolarization event.
the strength of the initial depolarization event determines whether or not an action potential will occur.
action potentials can only occur if the initial depolarization event is strong enough.

Explanation:

The all - or - nothing principle of action potentials states that once the threshold for an action potential is reached (by an initial depolarization event), the action potential will proceed to completion regardless of the strength of the initial depolarization. If the threshold is not reached, no action potential will occur.

Answer:

Once an action potential is initiated, it will proceed to completion regardless of the strength of the initial depolarization event.