Concept explainers
Introduction:
The pore-forming membrane proteins are referred to as ion channels, which permit the ions to cross the channel pore. Their main functions include establishing a resting membrane potential and shaping action potentials and other signals by allowing the flow of ions across the membrane.
Answer to Problem 1TYK
Correct answer:
The neurons have a significantly larger number of potassium leak channels, which facilitate the leakage of potassium ion across the membrane.
Explanation of Solution
Explanation/Justification for the correct answer:
Option (b) is given as potassium ion (K+). K+ is a micronutrient that is required by almost all cell types and is also necessary for the maintenance of the electrolyte and fluid balance in the body. The sodium–potassium pump creates the potassium gradient across the cell, with the higher concentration of potassium inside the cell. Thus, the K+ ions move from a higher concentration region to a lower concentration region, in turn generating an action potential. Furthermore, this helps in achieving the negative resting potential of the cell. Hence, option (b) is correct.
Explanation for incorrect answers:
Option (a) is given as calcium ions (Ca2+). The leakage of Ca2+ ions does not occur in order to achieve the resting potential as the concentration gradient for Ca2+ ions is not created by the sodium–potassium pump. So, it is a wrong answer.
Option (c) is given as sodium ions (Na+). The number of leak channels for Na+ ions is comparatively less than that for potassium ions. So, it is a wrong answer.
Option (d) is given as chloride ions (Cl+). The chloride ions are present as Cl− and not as Cl+. So, it is a wrong answer.
Hence, options (a), (c), and (d) are incorrect.
Therefore, it can be concluded that the potassium ions leak across the neuron’s membrane and thereby accomplish the resting potential.
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Chapter 43 Solutions
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- A channel opens on a postsynaptic membrane that causes a negative ion to leave the cell. What type of graded potential is this? a. depolarizing b. repolarizing c. hyperpolarizing d. non-polarizingarrow_forwardUse what you know about the physiology of neurons to answer the following questions. Treat questions a- c as unrelated to each other. a. Imagine that a toxin creates pores in a neuron that are permeable to Na*. Describe its immediate effect on the resting potential: identify which ions diffuse across the membrane, which direction they diffuse (and why), and whether this brings the neuron closer to or further from its threshold potential. b. Imagine that a toxin makes K* leak channels more permeable to K* ions. Describe its immediate effect on the resting potential: identify which ions diffuse across the membrane, which direction they diffuse (and why), and whether this depolarizes or hyperpolarizes the neuron. c. Imagine that in a different neuron, voltage-gated K" channels open quickly, only 0.3ms after voltage-gated Na channels. Predict changes in timing, amplitude and shape of an AP by drawing one labeled diagram comparing a normal AP (solid line) to your AP (dashed line), and…arrow_forwardIn the membrane of a neuron, what happens during an IPSP? A. All the ion gates in the membrane close. B. The sodium gates open. C. The potassium or chloride gates open. D. All the ion gates in the membrane open.arrow_forward
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