The sequence of shifts in the electrical charge of a neuron is called

The sequence of shifts in the electrical charge of a neuron is called Action Potential.

Explanation:

An action potential occurs when a neuron sends information down an axon, away from the cell body. Neuroscientists also use the terms, spike or impulse.

An Action Potential takes place in four steps:

Step 1:

Certain chemicals like neurotransmitters bind to dendrites and open special channels called stimulus gated channels.

Step 2:

Here comes depolarization in which neuron undergoes a shift in charge distribution. Charge reaches - 59 mV. Positive sodium ions move into the cell and neuron becomes less negative (positive).

Step 3:

Repolarization occurs when the charge reaches a certain limit (30 mV). Na + channels stop and K + channels open resulting in K + ions moving out of the cell to make the neuron negatively charged again.

Step 4:

Hyperpolarization: K + ions floods back at such a speed that a charge of - 75 mV is reached for a very short period of time before resting potential is reached again.

Here, a neuron is at resting potential when it is not sending messages.

Action potential is the state in which a neuron sends messages down the axon away from the cell body. Action Potential fires when depolarization reaches - 55 mV.