During which process does the membrane become more positive?

During which process does the membrane become more positive?

• A. Depolarization
• B. Hyperpolarization
• C. Repolarization
• D. Resting potential

Answer: (A)

Depolarization is the process where the membrane becomes more positive inside. This happens when voltage-gated sodium channels open and Na+ ions rush into the neuron, reducing the negativity inside the cell and moving the membrane potential toward zero or even past it. The resting potential is a stable negative value (around -70 mV), and hyperpolarization would make it more negative, while repolarization brings it back toward the resting level after a spike. So the inward Na+ current during depolarization makes the interior of the cell less negative, i.e., more positive.

Depolarization is the process where the membrane becomes more positive inside. This happens when voltage-gated sodium channels open and Na+ ions rush into the neuron, reducing the negativity inside the cell and moving the membrane potential toward zero or even past it. The resting potential is a stable negative value (around -70 mV), and hyperpolarization would make it more negative, while repolarization brings it back toward the resting level after a spike. So the inward Na+ current during depolarization makes the interior of the cell less negative, i.e., more positive.