Assume the membrane potential begins at -70mV. Tell me how it changes in these d

Question

Assume the membrane potential begins at -70mV. Tell me how it changes in these different circumstances.

A. What will happen to the membrane potential if the potassium (K+) channel opens?

B. What will happen to the membrane potential ( intracellular voltage) if the sodium (Na+) channels open?

C. What will happen to the membrane potential if chloride (Cl-) is leaked into the cell?

D. What will happen to the membrane potential if the concentration of calcium ions (Ca2+) outside of the cell increases?

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Explanation / Answer

A. What will happen to the membrane potential if the potassium (K+) channel opens?

When potassium (K+) channel opens then potassium leaves the cell down its concentration gradient. The depolarisation of the cell stops and repolarisation occurs through these voltage gated potassium (K+) channels.

B. What will happen to the membrane potential ( intracellular voltage) if the sodium (Na+) channels open?

When sodium (Na+) channels open then the membrane potential begins depolarises and sodium enters the cell down its concentration gradient.

C. What will happen to the membrane potential if chloride (Cl-) is leaked into the cell?

When chloride (Cl-) is leaked into the cell, it means more negative charge inside the cell
It causes membrane potential to become more negative (Hyperpolarization)

D. What will happen to the membrane potential if the concentration of calcium ions (Ca2+) outside of the cell increases?

if the concentration of calcium ions (Ca2+) outside of the cell increases then extracellular membrane becomes more positive . Then it would take the membrane potential to lower level then the excitability of the cells will be decreased.

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