- Which statement is not correct for nerve impulse transmission?
(1) Minimum threshold neurotransmitter concentration is required
(2) Threshold number of Na+ channel must be open
(3) Amplitude is directly proportional to signal intensity
(4) It shows all or none effectIntroduction
Nerve impulse transmission is an essential physiological process allowing neurons to communicate rapidly and efficiently. Certain fundamental properties characterize this process, including threshold requirements, ion channel dynamics, and the nature of the action potential signal. Understanding these helps in correctly interpreting neural signal behavior.
Analysis of the Statements
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Minimum threshold neurotransmitter concentration is required
For an action potential to be generated at the postsynaptic membrane, a minimum concentration of neurotransmitter must bind to receptors to depolarize the membrane to threshold. This is true. -
Threshold number of Na+ channels must be open
Action potential initiation requires opening a threshold number of voltage-gated sodium channels to allow enough Na⁺ influx for depolarization. This is also true. -
Amplitude is directly proportional to signal intensity
This is false. Nerve impulses have a fixed amplitude for a given neuron and exhibit the all-or-none law—the amplitude does not increase with the strength of the stimulus once threshold is reached. -
It shows all-or-none effect
True. The action potential either occurs fully or not at all once the threshold is reached; no partial impulses occur.
Summary Table
Statement Correctness (1) Minimum threshold neurotransmitter needed Correct (2) Threshold Na+ channels must open Correct (3) Amplitude proportional to signal intensity Incorrect (4) All-or-none effect observed Correct
Conclusion
The incorrect statement about nerve impulse transmission is:
(3) Amplitude is directly proportional to signal intensity
Nerve impulses maintain a constant amplitude regardless of the stimulus strength beyond the threshold, adhering to the all-or-none principle.
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3 Comments
sakshi vijay
September 16, 2025amplitude is directly proportional to signal intensisty is incorrect because nerve impulses maintain a constant amplitude regardless of the stimulus strength beyond the threshold , adhering to all
Varsha Tatla
September 17, 2025Constant amplitude
Bhawna Choudhary
September 24, 2025Amplitude is directly proportional to signal intensity because Nerve impulses have a fixed amplitude