48.2 Formation of the Resting Potential

Question 1

what role does K+ and Na+ play in formation of the resting potential?

Answer 1

-sodium potassium pumps pump Na+ out and K+ in
-ion channels convert chemical potential energy into electrical potential
-as ions diffuse back and forth, they carry electrical charge
generating a voltage/potential across the membrane
-they are selectively permeable to only let K+ through
-the other solutes buildup negative charge within the neuron = source of the membrane potential