The equilibrium potential for HCO3 is -23 mV. The extracellular concentration of

Question

The equilibrium potential for HCO3 is -23 mV. The extracellular concentration of HCOs is 25 mM an the intracellular concentration is 10 mM. If a cell is at the resting membrane potential, which of the following is true regarding the movement of HCO3 across the membrane? a. the concentration gradient is stronger than the electrical gradient b. the electrical gradient is stronger than the concentration gradient c. the concentration and electrical gradients are the same strength there is no net movement of HCO C. C and D are true

Explanation / Answer

The normal value for HCO3- concentrations in extracellular and intracellular fluids are 24mM and 16mM respectively.

A membrane potential is a voltage across the plasma membrane. It represents a source of potential energy.

Electrochemical gradient = concentration gradient + membrane potentail gradient.

Ions come into an electrochemical equilibrium where the net flux of the ion = 0 even if there is still a concentration gradient.

The answer would be when the concentration and electrical gradients are the same strength and there is no net movement of HCO3-

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