What is the process in which a nerve is stimulated?

The process in which a nerve is stimulated involves a sequence of chemical and electrical events. When a nerve is stimulated, an electrical signal, known as an action potential, is generated. This begins with the influx of sodium ions into the neuron, creating a change in the electrical charge across the nerve's membrane.

Chemical signals, such as neurotransmitters, play a critical role in nerve communication. These chemicals are released from one neuron and bind to receptors on a neighboring neuron, leading to the initiation of an electrical signal if the stimulus is strong enough. This dual role of chemical signaling followed by electrical conduction is fundamental to how nerves transmit signals, making the choice highlighting this order particularly accurate.

Each of the other options describes processes that, while they involve either electrical or mechanical components, do not accurately represent the true sequence of stimulation in nerve cells. Understanding the interplay between chemical and electrical processes is crucial for comprehending how nerve signals are transmitted throughout the nervous system.