Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary mechanism by which the membrane spanning ion channels contribute to the resting membrane potential?
What is the primary mechanism by which the membrane spanning ion channels contribute to the resting membrane potential?
- By generating an electrochemical gradient
- By actively pumping ions across the membrane
- By maintaining unequal concentrations of sodium and potassium ions
- By allowing the passage of cations through the channels (correct)
What would be the membrane potential if the membrane is only permeable to sodium?
What would be the membrane potential if the membrane is only permeable to sodium?
- 0mV
- +55mV (correct)
- -55mV
- -70mV
What is the net effect of the sodium/potassium pump on the membrane potential?
What is the net effect of the sodium/potassium pump on the membrane potential?
- It makes the inside of the cell more positive
- It makes the inside of the cell more negative (correct)
- It has no direct effect on the membrane potential
- It only affects the concentration of sodium ions
What is the term for the state of the cell when the inside is negatively charged with respect to the outside?
What is the term for the state of the cell when the inside is negatively charged with respect to the outside?
What determines the membrane permeability?
What determines the membrane permeability?
What would be the effect of a hyperpolarization on the membrane potential?
What would be the effect of a hyperpolarization on the membrane potential?
What is the role of the sodium/potassium pump in establishing and maintaining the unequal distribution of sodium and potassium ions?
What is the role of the sodium/potassium pump in establishing and maintaining the unequal distribution of sodium and potassium ions?
What is the equation that describes the membrane potential when the membrane is permeable to multiple ions?
What is the equation that describes the membrane potential when the membrane is permeable to multiple ions?
Why does the membrane potential not equal -65mV if the membrane is equally permeable to both sodium and potassium?
Why does the membrane potential not equal -65mV if the membrane is equally permeable to both sodium and potassium?
What is the term for the movement of ions down their electrochemical gradient?
What is the term for the movement of ions down their electrochemical gradient?
