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Questions and Answers
What is the purpose of sodium-potassium pumps in neurons?
What is the purpose of sodium-potassium pumps in neurons?
To maintain the resting potential by exchanging Na+ and K+ ions
What is the approximate value of the resting membrane potential in a neuron?
What is the approximate value of the resting membrane potential in a neuron?
-70 mV
What type of process is the maintenance of the resting potential in neurons?
What type of process is the maintenance of the resting potential in neurons?
An active process
How many Na+ ions are expelled for every 2 K+ ions admitted by the sodium-potassium pump?
How many Na+ ions are expelled for every 2 K+ ions admitted by the sodium-potassium pump?
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What creates the charge difference across the membrane in neurons?
What creates the charge difference across the membrane in neurons?
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What is the role of ATP in the exchange of sodium and potassium ions?
What is the role of ATP in the exchange of sodium and potassium ions?
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Describe the role of sodium-potassium pumps in maintaining the resting potential of a neuron.
Describe the role of sodium-potassium pumps in maintaining the resting potential of a neuron.
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Explain why the maintenance of the resting potential is considered an active process.
Explain why the maintenance of the resting potential is considered an active process.
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How does the unequal distribution of ions across the membrane contribute to the creation of a membrane potential?
How does the unequal distribution of ions across the membrane contribute to the creation of a membrane potential?
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Discuss the significance of the electrochemical gradient created by the sodium-potassium pump.
Discuss the significance of the electrochemical gradient created by the sodium-potassium pump.
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Why is it necessary for some K+ ions to leak back out of the cell after being admitted by the sodium-potassium pump?
Why is it necessary for some K+ ions to leak back out of the cell after being admitted by the sodium-potassium pump?
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Explain the importance of the sodium-potassium pump in the context of neuron function.
Explain the importance of the sodium-potassium pump in the context of neuron function.
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