Lab - Week 4 and 5 Content - Flashcards
What is the abscissa and why do we employ a log scale in this type of experiment?
How would you describe the relationship between the extracellular concentration of X and the amplitude of the action potential?
Based upon the results of this experiment what do you think ion X is?
Explain how the results of this experiment support your answer to the previous question
Wy do you think we employ a log scale on the abscissa in this exoeriment?
Once you have measured Vm at 10-15 different (K+)o plot your results on the resting membrane potential graph provided overleaf. AFTER you have plotted these values attempt to answer the following questions.
How would you describe the relationship between [K+]o and the resting membrane potential?
What does the relationship between [K+]o and the resting membrane potential suggest to you about the ionic basis of the resting membrane potential? In other words, if you were the first person ever to have made this observation what conclusion would you come to about what was responsible for the resting membrane potential? Explain why.
Why does a broken electrode ruin your experiment?
How would you go about confirming this suggestion?
During the peak of the action potential there are approximately 20 times more sodium channels than potassium channels open. Using this information solve the GHK equation using the low concentrations from your experimental simulation above. How does the calculated value compare with your measured value from MEMPOT?
Vm = ?
Why do you think this is the case?
