Aneuron's repetitive firing rate is limited by an absolute refractory period, during which a new action potential cannot be generated. which event is chiefly responsible for this limit?

In the refractory period, sodium channels are closed due to which generation of the action potential does not occur in this phase.

Further Explanation:

After the rapid and spontaneous opening of the sodium channel inactivation of the sodium channel occurs. After the inactivation of the sodium channel, it cannot be readily activated. The absolute refractory period can be defined as the phase from the initiation to the immediate phase after the action potential’s peak. This phase takes place almost for 1-2 milliseconds.  

In this phase, another stimulus does not activate the action potential. Sodium channels are inactivated due to which they did not depolarize the membrane. After this phase, when the strong stimulus is provided to neurons, recovery from this phase leading to activation of the sodium channel occurs. The phase in which a strong stimulus is given to recover from inactivation is mainly referred to as the relative refractory period.

Learn more:

Answer Details:

Grade: High School

Subject: Biology

Chapter: Neurons

Keywords:

Action potential, stimulus, refractory period, millisecond, phase, sodium channel, activate, relative, absolute, inactivated, rapid, spontaneous, peak, membrane.