Equilibrium and Membrane Potentials Quiz

Ion Movement and Membrane Potential

• The Goldman equation accounts for both the chemical and electrical driving forces that act on an ion.
• When the membrane potential is at its equilibrium potential, the direction of an ion is zero, meaning there is no net movement of ions.

Generation of Resting Membrane Potential

• The resting membrane potential is generated by the unequal distribution of ions across the cell membrane.

Ion Permeabilities and Membrane Potential

• The Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation is used to understand the basis of membrane potential in reference to ion permeabilities.

Conduction Types

• Electrotonic conduction is characterized by passive, local, graded potentials.
• Saltatory conduction is associated with myelinated axons and is a solution to energy and speed issues.

Action Potential Propagation

• The absolute refractory period during action potential propagation is accounted for by the inactivation of sodium channels.

Mechanisms of Action Potentials

• The transduction mechanism turns different kinds of stimuli into action potentials in the nervous system.

Effects of Demyelination

• Demyelinating diseases result in a decrease in action potential propagation frequency.
• In demyelinating diseases, the consequence is a decrease in action potential propagation frequency.

Graded Potentials

• The size of a graded potential is determined by the strength of the stimulus.
• Graded potentials are responsible for coding intensity in sensory systems.