Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

10. Cell Signaling

Introduction to Cell Signaling

General Biology

10. Cell Signaling

Introduction to Cell Signaling

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements best describes a receptor potential?

It is the resting membrane potential maintained by all cells in the absence of stimulation.

It is the potential difference generated by the sodium-potassium pump during active transport.

It is a graded change in membrane potential that occurs in response to a stimulus at a sensory receptor.

It is an all-or-nothing electrical signal that travels along the axon of a neuron.

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Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Begin by understanding the concept of a receptor potential. A receptor potential is a graded change in the membrane potential of a sensory receptor cell in response to a stimulus. It is not an all-or-nothing signal like an action potential, but rather varies in magnitude depending on the strength of the stimulus.

Step 2: Compare the receptor potential to the resting membrane potential. The resting membrane potential is the baseline electrical charge across the membrane of a cell when it is not being stimulated. This is different from a receptor potential, which occurs specifically in response to a stimulus.

Step 3: Examine the role of the sodium-potassium pump. The sodium-potassium pump actively transports sodium (Na⁺) out of the cell and potassium (K⁺) into the cell, maintaining the resting membrane potential. However, this is not directly related to receptor potentials, which are caused by ion channel activity in response to a stimulus.

Step 4: Distinguish receptor potentials from action potentials. Action potentials are all-or-nothing electrical signals that propagate along the axon of a neuron. In contrast, receptor potentials are localized, graded changes in membrane potential that occur at sensory receptor cells.

Step 5: Conclude that the correct description of a receptor potential is: 'It is a graded change in membrane potential that occurs in response to a stimulus at a sensory receptor.' This definition highlights the key characteristics of receptor potentials and distinguishes them from other types of electrical signals in cells.