Neuronal excitability

Neuronal excitability refers to a nerve cell’s ability to respond to stimuli by generating electrical signals called action potentials. When a neuron detects a stimulus—like a touch, sound, or chemical message—tiny electrical charges inside change, causing the neuron to become temporarily more positive inside than outside. If this change reaches a certain threshold, it triggers an action potential that travels along the nerve, transmitting information throughout the nervous system. This process is vital for sensation, thought, movement, and communication within the body, allowing neurons to relay signals rapidly and efficiently.