Key Learning Points
Action Potential
Action Potential, 3 Phases Page 2
- Depolarization phase(a) sodium and potassium gates open allowing sodium and potassium to rush in and out of the cell.
- Repolarization phase(b) the sodium/potassium pumps in the cell wall pump sodium and potassium back across the cell membrane creating a charged or polarized condition.
- Resting phase(c) the charged, or polarized, cell waits for the next depolarization phase.
Depolarization Wave Page 3
- A Depolarization Wave is the result of sodium and potassium rushing(a) in and out of the cardiac cell during the depolarization phase.
- The depolarization wave produces a small electrical signal(b) that can be seen on the ECG Monitor.
