Repolarization occurs after depolarization and is associated with the return of the cell to its resting state.

Repolarization occurs after depolarization and is associated with the return of the cell to its resting state.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not applicable
• D. Unknown

Answer: (A)

Repolarization is the part of the cardiac action potential that follows depolarization and returns the cell toward its resting membrane potential. After depolarization, voltage-gated Na+ channels inactivate and K+ channels open, allowing potassium to exit the cell. This outward K+ current drives the membrane potential back down from the peak toward the negative resting level, ending the depolarization phase and resetting the cell for another beat. In this sense, repolarization is associated with the return to the resting state. Therefore the statement is true. The other options don’t fit because repolarization does occur and it does reflect returning to resting potential; options like not applicable or unknown aren’t appropriate here.

Repolarization is the part of the cardiac action potential that follows depolarization and returns the cell toward its resting membrane potential. After depolarization, voltage-gated Na+ channels inactivate and K+ channels open, allowing potassium to exit the cell. This outward K+ current drives the membrane potential back down from the peak toward the negative resting level, ending the depolarization phase and resetting the cell for another beat. In this sense, repolarization is associated with the return to the resting state. Therefore the statement is true. The other options don’t fit because repolarization does occur and it does reflect returning to resting potential; options like not applicable or unknown aren’t appropriate here.