Resting Membrane Potential Flashcards
Combination of an electrical gradient and chemical gradient is
Electrochemical gradient
Ions subjected to an electrochemical gradient will move!
Explain the membrane potential of a cell
Occurs due to electrical gradient across a cell membrane
Unequal distribution of charges (ions)
Established by ATPase transporters
Measured in mV
The membrane potential of s cell can change due to movement of ions which means it is ____
Not constant
Explain the resting membrane potential
Special case of steady state balance between active transport and leakage of ions
For most cells the resting membrane potential is between what
-20mV and -90mV
Resting membrane potential is at a steady state which means
It is not an equilibrium
Convention is ____
Inside with respect to outside
The membrane potential difference ____ when the membrane potential is depolarizer
Decreases
The membrane potential difference ____ when the membrane potential is hyperpolarized
Increases
The concentration of K is maintained over time because the system is at a steady state because __
The rate of leakage through leakage channels is exactly balanced by active transport
When is a cell not in equilibrium
When it requires constant energy to stay equal
Without a K pump what would eventually happen to the cell
K would eventually leak out until the inside and outside are at equilibrium !
How can we make K stay inside the cell if we shut off the pump
Make inside negatively charged to attract the K ions
Make the inside negative with respect to the outside
The amount of voltage necessary to keep the K inside is called the
Equilibrium potential
Explain the equilibrium potential
The membrane potential that exactly opposes the steady state electrochemical gradient for an ion
The equilibrium potential follows the convention which means
Inside with respect to the outside
How do we calculate the equilibrium potential for any ion at 37degrees C
What is this equation called
Eion = 61/z X log (ion out/ion in)
Nernst equation
K+ equilibrium potential is
-90 mV