Lecture 10 Ions and Membrane Potentials Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Lecture 10 Ions and Membrane Potentials Deck (23)
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1
Q

Diffusion of Ions

A
through Ion channels 
down an electrochemical gradient 
electrical potential (measure in millivolts) is electrical force on an ion
2
Q

Electrical potential difference between ICF and ECF is due to

A

imbalance of + and - charges across the membrane

membrane potential

3
Q

Resting membrane potential is

A

-70mV (negative inside)

4
Q

Membrane potential

results from?

A

results from the unequal distribution of permeable ions (K+ and Na+) between the ICF and ECF, and resulting movements of these ions across the membrane

5
Q

Potential difference

A

potential difference across the membrane of an unstimulated nerve or muscle cells

6
Q

what forms the concentration gradients

A

the Na+/K+ pump actively transports Na+ out and K+ in

forming concentration gradients of Na+ and K+ ions

7
Q

The resting cell membrane is

A

permeable to K+ due to the presence of K+ leak channels in the membrane

8
Q

How does K+ move

A

K+ diffuses out of the cell down its concentration gradient

9
Q

What makes the ICF more negative?

what does this cause?

A

Movement of K+ out of the cell makes the ICF more negative. The resulting negative electrical potential inside the cell creates an electrical gradient that acts in the opposite direction as the concentration gradient.

10
Q

Equilibrium potential for K+

A

at some point the concentration gradient and electrical gradient for K+ will exactly counterbalance each other. This point is the equilibrium potential for K+
Ek = -90mV

11
Q

Diffusion of K+ outward

A

tends to move the membrane potential toward Ek

since the resting membrane is most permeable to K+, the RMP is close to Ek

12
Q

Resting Membrane

A

is slightly permeable to Na+ so some Na+ diffuses inward

this makes the RMP slightly less negative than Ek

13
Q

Equilibrium potential of an ion

A

is the potential difference at which the electrical force exactly balances the chemical force (concentration gradient) on the ion

The EP of an ion can be calculated using the Nernst equation

14
Q

Nernst Equation

A

Eion=60/z * log(cout/cin)

Eion is the equilibrium potential of the ion in millivolts (mV)
Z is the charge on the ion (1+ for K+ and Na+)
Cout and Cin are concentrations of the ion in the ECF and ICF
log is the base 10 logarithm

15
Q

ENa

A

+60mV

16
Q

What determines the membrane potential

A

the concentration gradients of permeable ions, primarily Na+ and K. Formed by the Na+/K+ pump

The relative permeability of the membrane to these ions (K+ vs Na+) due to specific ion channels

17
Q

What has the largest influence on RMP

what does it create

A

K+ has the greatest influence on RMP because the resting membrane is most permeable to K+
K+tends to move out of the cell which creates a negative potential inside the cell

18
Q

Main factors of the RMP

A

RMP is close to Ek, but is slightly less negative because of some inward Na+ leakage
RMP is very sensitive to changes in K+ in the ICF or ECF
RMP is only slightly affected by Na+ because the resting membrane is not very permeable to Na+

19
Q

The membrane potential results from

A

the unequal distribution of permeable ions (K+ and Na+) between the ICF and ECF and the resulting movements of these ions across the membrane

20
Q

what forms the gradients and what happens once the gradients are in place

A

The Na+/K+ pump forms concentration gradients of K+ and Na+ between the ICF and ECF. Once these gradients are in place the membrane potential depends on the relative permeability of the membrane to K+ and Na+ which is determined by specific ion channels.

21
Q

What will permeable ions do

A

Ions that are permeable will diffuse across the membrane down their electrochemical gradients, which moves the membrane potential toward the equilibrium potential of the most permeable ion(s).

22
Q

What is dominant is a resting cell

A

K+ leak channels are dominant so RMP is close to Ek

23
Q

How does the membrane potential change

A

the membrane potential can change very rapidly in response to changes in permeability of the membrane to Na+, K+, or other ions. Changes in permeability to these ions result from opening or closing of different ion channels.