Chapter 24, Problem 12TE

What flushes back into a neuron as a nerve impulse passes through the neuron?

To determine

The process of transmission of the nerve impulse passes through the neuron.

Answer to Problem 12TE

Sodium ion flushes back into the neuron as a nerve impulse passes through it.

Explanation of Solution

Neuron are specialized cells which send the electrical impulse. In resting phase, the nerve cell ejects sodium ions for an impulse. In this phase more sodium ions are outside the neuron due to ejection from the cell membrane, that creates charge separation of about $\text{-70 mV}$ and creates nerve impulses.

The nerve impulse travels down to the neuron to synaptic cell known as impulse phase, in this phase due to attraction, the sodium ions flushes back into neurons and creates $\text{+30 mV}$ electric potential.

To get the original electrical potential, nerve cell again repeats the process of ejection of sodium ions outside the neuron.

Conclusion:

Therefore, Sodium ions flushes back into the neuronas a nerve impulse passes through it.