| 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
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Physiology) 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
ac′tion poten`tial
n.
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.
action potential ( k sh n) 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 - A brief electrical signal transmitted along a nerve or muscle fiber following stimulation.
See also related terms for nerve.
Thesaurus Legend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  action potential - the local voltage change across the cell wall as a nerve impulse is transmittednerve impulse, nervous impulse, neural impulse, impulse - the electrical discharge that travels along a nerve fiber; "they demonstrated the transmission of impulses from the cortex to the hypothalamus" |
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