Week 2 - Membrane Potentials

Question 1

In their resting state cells are readily permeable to what ions?

Answer 1

K⁺ and Cl^-

higher concentration of K⁺ inside cell than out

Question 2

In their resting state cells are poorly permeable to which ion?

Answer 2

Na⁺

higher concentration of Na⁺ outside the cell than in

not impermeable, but partially permeable

Question 3

What happens if both chemical and electrical gradients exist at the same time?

Answer 3

the concentration gradient needs to be converted to an electrical gradient using the Nernst equation to find out which direction the ions will move