Write a paragraph of 3-5 sentences describing 1) whether the statement is correc

Question

Write a paragraph of 3-5 sentences describing 1) whether the statement is correct or incorrect and 2) the reasoning for your answer. Your answer should demonstrate your understanding of the physiological concepts underlying the statement and be professionally written. Assume a cell with the following properties: [Na]out = 120 mM; [Na]in = 12 mM [K]out = 5 mM; [K]in = 125 mM Membrane is permeable only to Na+ and K+ If the plasma membrane of the cell becomes more permeable to Na+, both influx of Na+ into the cell and the Na+ equilibrium potential will increase. if this can please be explained in great detail because I really do not understand. The answer that was posted for this question did not make sense to me why if the inside becomes more negative it depolarizes. I thought that was to make is less negative.

Explanation / Answer

The resting membrane potential of the cell is usually -70mV.This means that inside of the cell is negative as compared to the outside of the cell.This -70mV is also known as the resting potential of the membrane.

But in our case [Na]out = 120 mM; [Na]in = 12 mM [K]out = 5 mM; [K]in = 125 mM

So their is a concentration gradient of both the ions inside and outside the cell.So Na will flow into the cell(as its concentration is lesser inside) and K will flow outside the cell(as its concentration is lesser outside.But it is given that membrane is more permeable to Na+ therefore Na+ will flow inside the inside the cell faster then K+(which flows outside).Due to more efflux of positive charge inside(of Na+) the cell the mebrane resting potential which was -70mV will keep on becoming more positive(which is known as depolization)till it reaches +30mV as the gates through which Na+ was passed out of the membrane closes at +30 mV.

Hope this helps.Thank you

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