action potential

action potential   n.  A momentary change in electrical potential on the surface of a cell, especially of a nerve or muscle cell, that occurs when it is stimulated, resulting in the transmission of an electrical impulse.

action potential

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.

Main Entry: action potential
Function: noun
: a momentary reversal in the potential difference across a plasma membrane (as of a nerve cell or muscle fiber) that occurswhen a cell has been activated by a stimulus called also spike potential—compare RESTINGPOTENTIAL—see AFTERPOTENTIAL, GENERATOR POTENTIAL, PREPOTENTIAL

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