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C2.2.10 (HL)—Oscilloscope traces

Oscilloscope traces display resting and action potentials as voltage changes over time, allowing depolarization and repolarization to be identified, linking cellular mechanisms to rapid communication in nervous systems.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Objective
C2.2.10
Level
HL

Exam analysis

Chance of appearing1%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2025
Most common paperPaper1B
Typical marks1

Common command terms

  • State
  • Annotate

Recent exam appearances

November 2025Paper1B ["HL"] · TZ13(a)[ 1 ]C2.2.10 (HL)—Oscilloscope traces
Practice this objective

Coverage 2025–2025 · Updated 15 Jul 2026

Concept essentials

  • An oscilloscope can show resting and action potentials.
  • The trace records membrane potential as voltage over time.
  • Depolarization appears as the rising phase of an action-potential trace.
  • Trace interpretation links graph shape to ion movement across the axon membrane.
ConceptIB Biology HL