Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

hyperpolarize

American  
[hahy-per-poh-luh-rahyz] / ˌhaɪ pərˈpoʊ ləˌraɪz /
especially British, hyperpolarise

verb (used with object)

hyperpolarized, hyperpolarizing
  1. to increase the difference in electric potential across (a cell membrane).


verb (used without object)

hyperpolarized, hyperpolarizing
  1. to undergo such an increase.

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of hyperpolarize

First recorded in 1945–50; hyper- + polarize


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

If ACh is released onto those cells, it binds to a muscarinic receptor that causes the cells to hyperpolarize so that they cannot reach threshold as easily, and the heart rate slows.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

The moving otolithic membrane, in turn, bends the sterocilia, causing some hair cells to depolarize as others hyperpolarize.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Some bitter molecules depolarize gustatory cells, whereas others hyperpolarize gustatory cells.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

The opposing signals to the heart would both depolarize and hyperpolarize the heart cells that establish the rhythm of the heartbeat, likely causing arrhythmia.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

"UDP is funded by Democratic and Republican donors who have set aside their partisan preferences in a hyperpolarized political environment to support a better U.S-Israel relationship," Dorton said.

From Salon ● Aug. 8, 2022

Photoreceptors and bipolar cells are hyperpolarized, whereas other sensory receptors typically remain polarized.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

“Our hope is to show that bipartisanship and vigorous debate can coexist—and that civility is still possible, even in today’s hyperpolarized world,” said Matt Sandgren, executive director of the Hatch Foundation.

From Washington Times ● May 26, 2022

Additionally, the plant’s membranes are hyperpolarized, compared with animal neurons.

From Scientific American ● Mar. 1, 2022

Will Oremus writes that there might be another culprit and that this study indicates we may not be headed toward a technologically driven, hyperpolarized dystopia just yet.

From Slate ● Apr. 5, 2017

Through binding to postsynaptic receptors, the neurotransmitter can cause excitatory or inhibitory postsynaptic potentials by depolarizing or hyperpolarizing, respectively, the postsynaptic membrane.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Graded potentials can be depolarizing or hyperpolarizing and can summate to affect the probability of the neuron reaching threshold.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

The depolarizing or hyperpolarizing effect is also dependent on the receptor.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

A depolarizing graded potential at a synapse is called an excitatory PSP, and a hyperpolarizing graded potential at a synapse is called an inhibitory PSP.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Potassium continues to leave the cell for a short while and the membrane potential becomes more negative, resulting in the hyperpolarizing overshoot.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Just like flashcards, but way more fun

Don't take our word for it. Leave the boring studying behind and join VocabTrainer today. You'll learn even faster and never look back.

Take me to Vocabulary.com