resting potential

Question 1

what is the potential difference when a neuron is in its resting state

Answer 1

the inside is more negative and the outside is more positive

Question 2

how can the membrane be described as being in its resting state

Answer 2

polarised

Question 3

what is the resting potential

Answer 3

-70mv

Question 4

what is the resting potential created and maintained by

Answer 4

sodium potassium pumps and potassium channels

Question 5

how does the sodium potassium pump maintain a resting potential

Answer 5

use active transport (ATP) to move three Na+ ions out of the cell and two K+ ions into the cell via a carrier protein

Question 6

how is a sodium electrochemical gradient established

Answer 6

the membrane isnt permeable to sodium ions so they cannot diffuse back in, creating an electrochemical gradient as there are more Na+ ions outside than inside

Question 7

how does potassium channels regulate resting potential

Answer 7

allow facilitated diffusion out of the neuron down their concentration gradient after entering via the sodium potassium pump