Resting Membrane Potential Flashcards
What is the Sodium Pump?
Energy requiring pump, pumps out 3 Na+ and 2 K+ into the cell.
What is the membrane Potential?
Ion concentration gradientsresult in aseparationofelectrical charge acrossthecell membrane. Therefore the insideof the cell ismore negative than the outside.
How is the resting membrane potential maintained?
The sodium pump is used to maintain ion gradients as it is electrogenic.
Why is the cell membrane more permeable to K+ than Na+?
K+ leak channels allow K+ to move out of the cell down their concentration gradient, therefore there is a net movement of positive charge out of the cell.
What is the Homeostatic function of the MP?
Maintain osmolarity and maintain extracellular K+.
How does the MP allow for rapid signalling and communication?
Generation of action potentials, receptor potentials and postsynaptic potentials.
How does the MP act as an energy source?
Drives transmembrane transport processes.
How does changes in the MP lead to disease?
Changes in it are associated with many diseases and pathological conditions e.g., Epilepsy and Migraines.
Cell Proliferation and Migration can cause Cancer.
What is depolarisation?
membrane potential ismore positive
What is Hyperpolarisation?
membrane potential ismore negative
What is electrochemical equilibrium?
The point at which the number of ions moving along theconcentration gradientisequal tothe number of ions moving along theelectrical gradient.
What is the equilibrium potential/reversal potential, Ex?
Themembrane potential requiredto produce this electrochemical equilibrium for aspecific ion
