Here's why:
* Resting Potential: The normal electrical charge of a neuron at rest is typically around -70 mV.
* Hyperpolarization: This refers to a change in the membrane potential that makes it more negative than the resting potential. In your example, the dendrite becomes more negative (from -70 mV to -72 mV).
* Depolarization: The opposite of hyperpolarization is depolarization, where the membrane potential becomes less negative (closer to zero).
Important Note: Hyperpolarization makes a neuron less likely to fire an action potential. This is because it moves the membrane potential further away from the threshold needed to trigger an action potential.
