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⚡ To divide strongly 🔋 To increase charge 🧲 To boost polarization
to hyperpolarize

to hyperpolarize

9.9
Make the inside of a cell more negative so it sends fewer signals
  • verb
  • /ˌhaɪpərˈpoʊləˌraɪz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hiperpolarizar
  • When the ion channels open, they allow ions to flow and hyperpolarize the neuronal membrane.

It starts to close and become more hyperpolarized, more negative.

Examples

  • The large hyperpolarizing Cl− current through TMEM16B can rapidly repolarize the membrane and shut down the high-threshold CaV channels.

    Academic text (2017)

  • Those ion channels are closed at hyperpolarized voltages.

  • When the cell is hyperpolarized, it's lower.

  • It starts to close and become more hyperpolarized, more negative.

    Tom Bilyeu

  • Strong inhibitory signals can cause a neuron to hyperpolarize, making the interior of the cell more negative.

  • Inhibition from neurotransmitters can hyperpolarize the neuron, making it less likely to fire an action potential.

Antonyms

to depolarize
  • Specialized
2 7.7

Reduce the difference in electrical charge across a cell membrane or device

How Polarized

to hyperpolarize
  • Specialized
9.9
to polarize
  • Specialized
2 7.0
to depolarize
  • Specialized
2 7.7

Surface Forms

hyperpolarize infinitive
hyperpolarized past
hyperpolarized past participle
hyperpolarizing present participle
hyperpolarizes third person singular

Morphology

hyperpolarize = polarize (transparent) = hyper + polar + ize

The word is clearly built from the intensifying prefix 'hyper-' and the base 'polarize'.

Etymology

Hyperpolarize combines hyper- 'too much' and polarize from polar 'poles', so in biology it means making a cell's inside more negative. That's why a hyperpolarized nerve cell is less likely to send a signal.