Which tissue response involves movement of ions under an electric field?

Which tissue response involves movement of ions under an electric field?

• A. Ion migration
• B. Sensory twitch
• C. Fused response
• D. Tetanic contraction

Answer: (A)

Ion migration is the movement of charged particles caused by an electric field. When tissue is subjected to a current, positive ions drift toward the negative electrode (cathode) and negative ions drift toward the positive electrode (anode). This directed drift changes local ion concentrations and can influence membrane potentials and tissue excitability. This mechanism underlies how ions move in response to the field, such as during iontophoresis or electrical stimulation. The other terms describe muscular or neural responses to stimulation rather than direct ion drift under an electric field, so they don’t capture this ion-movement mechanism.

Ion migration is the movement of charged particles caused by an electric field. When tissue is subjected to a current, positive ions drift toward the negative electrode (cathode) and negative ions drift toward the positive electrode (anode). This directed drift changes local ion concentrations and can influence membrane potentials and tissue excitability. This mechanism underlies how ions move in response to the field, such as during iontophoresis or electrical stimulation. The other terms describe muscular or neural responses to stimulation rather than direct ion drift under an electric field, so they don’t capture this ion-movement mechanism.