My notes say that action potentials are only able to pass from an active to a resting region because they can't be generated in a region that's in refractory period.
I'm probably over complicating this but I'm very confused about how the refractory period links to the axon membrane not being at resting potential. I get that the Na+ voltage gated channels are closed, but aren't they also closed at resting potential? Which part of a graph of membrane p.d against time would the refractory period actually be? Is it just the hyperpolarisation part or does it also include the flat line where the resting potential has been re-established before the next action potential occurs?
If someone could explain this to me I'd be very grateful, thanks!