What is the primary purpose of action potentials in nerve cells?

What is the primary purpose of action potentials in nerve cells?

• A. To produce hormones
• B. To transmit signals
• C. To contract muscles
• D. To absorb glucose

Answer: (B)

The primary purpose of action potentials in nerve cells is to transmit signals. Action potentials are rapid electrical impulses that travel along the membrane of a neuron, allowing communication between the nerve cell and other cells, including other neurons, muscle cells, and glands. This process is essential for the functioning of the nervous system, enabling it to relay information quickly over long distances within the body. When a nerve cell is stimulated, it undergoes a series of changes in its membrane potential, leading to the generation of an action potential. This all-or-nothing response is crucial for signal transmission, as it ensures that the information can be conveyed without degradation over the distance of the neuron. Once generated, the action potential travels down the axon, reaches the axon terminals, and triggers the release of neurotransmitters that facilitate communication with the next cell. This role of action potentials is fundamental to various processes, including reflexes, sensory perception, and motor control, making them vital to the overall functioning of the body. Other options listed are related to different physiological functions: producing hormones pertains to the endocrine system, contracting muscles involves the action of muscle fibers, and absorbing glucose relates to metabolic processes in cells, which are not directly involved in the primary function of nerve signal transmission.

The primary purpose of action potentials in nerve cells is to transmit signals. Action potentials are rapid electrical impulses that travel along the membrane of a neuron, allowing communication between the nerve cell and other cells, including other neurons, muscle cells, and glands. This process is essential for the functioning of the nervous system, enabling it to relay information quickly over long distances within the body.

When a nerve cell is stimulated, it undergoes a series of changes in its membrane potential, leading to the generation of an action potential. This all-or-nothing response is crucial for signal transmission, as it ensures that the information can be conveyed without degradation over the distance of the neuron. Once generated, the action potential travels down the axon, reaches the axon terminals, and triggers the release of neurotransmitters that facilitate communication with the next cell.

This role of action potentials is fundamental to various processes, including reflexes, sensory perception, and motor control, making them vital to the overall functioning of the body. Other options listed are related to different physiological functions: producing hormones pertains to the endocrine system, contracting muscles involves the action of muscle fibers, and absorbing glucose relates to metabolic processes in cells, which are not directly involved in the primary function of nerve signal transmission.