As the strength of a stimulus increases, the magnitude of a graded potential will Blank______.Multiple choice question.decreaseincreasestay the same

Breaking Down the Problem

1. Identify the Concept: The question pertains to the relationship between stimulus strength and graded potentials in biological systems, specifically in neurons.

Relevant Concepts

2. Key Principle: Graded potentials are changes in membrane potential that vary in size (amplitude) and are proportional to the strength of the stimulus. Unlike action potentials, which are all-or-nothing, graded potentials can increase in magnitude with an increase in stimulus strength.

Analysis and Detail

3. Understanding Graded Potentials:
   • A stronger stimulus increases the opening of ion channels in the neuron's membrane.
   • This results in a larger influx of ions, leading to a greater change in the membrane potential.

Verification and Summarization

4. Summary of Findings: As the strength of the stimulus increases, the magnitude of the graded potential also increases. Therefore, the correct choice in this context is "increase".

Final Answer

The magnitude of a graded potential will increase as the strength of a stimulus increases.