What is the all-or-nothing principle, and how does it work? In order to fully understand the all-or-nothing principle, one must first know what an action potential is and its relevance to the all-or-nothing principle. Therefore, an action potential is a very short wave of positive electrical charge that travels down an axon. In connection to the all-or-nothing principle, it is important to know that the action potential obeys the all-or-nothing principle. The all-or-nothing principle states that when a positive electrical charge reaches its threshold, it fires and moves down the axon without losing any of its strength or intensity. In simpler terms, once a neuron fires or sends an action potential, it will always move completely down the axon
