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Not much. Changing the extracellular chloride changes the level inside the cell so they will be in equilibrium again. The chloride ion plays little role in resting potential.

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Explain why a change in extracellular sodium did not alter the membrane potential in the resting neuron?

A change in extracellular sodium concentration would not alter the resting membrane potential of a neuron because the resting potential is primarily determined by the relative concentrations of sodium and potassium ions inside and outside the cell, as mediated by the sodium-potassium pump and leak channels. Changes in extracellular sodium concentration would not directly affect this equilibrium.


Why does increasing the extracellular K cause the membrane potential to change?

Increasing extracellular potassium concentration can depolarize the cell membrane potential because potassium ions are leaking out of the cell less efficiently, leading to an accumulation of positive charge outside the cell. This disrupts the normal balance of ions and can make it easier for the cell to depolarize and generate an action potential.


Through the membrane of a resting neuron highly permeable to potassium ions its membrane potential does not exactly match the equilibrium potential for potassium because the neuronal membrane is?

The neuronal membrane also has ion channels for other ions besides potassium, such as sodium or chloride, that can influence the resting membrane potential. These other ions contribute to the overall equilibrium potential of the neuron, which affects its resting membrane potential. Additionally, the activity of Na+/K+ pumps helps establish and maintain the resting membrane potential, contributing to the slight difference from the potassium equilibrium potential.


What Hyperpolarizing membrane potential occurs in the postsynaptic membrane of a synapse?

Hyperpolarization means that the membrane potential becames more negative than the resting potential. This means that it is more difficult for an action potential to be triggered at the postsynaptic membrane. This occurs at inhibitory synapses. Hyperpolarization can be achieved by increasing the permeability of the membrane to potassium or chloride ions. If potassium permeability is increased more potassium ions will leave the cell, down their concentration gradient; if chloride permeability increases chloride ions will enter the cell down their concentration gradient. Both movements will make the inside of the cell more negative ie they will cause hyperpolarization.


What determines the value of Resting membrane potential?

The resting membrane potential is determined by the concentration gradient of ions across the cell membrane, specifically sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), and chloride (Cl-). The uneven distribution of these ions maintained by ion pumps and channels sets up an electrical charge across the membrane, leading to a negative resting potential. The sodium-potassium pump plays a key role in establishing and maintaining this potential.

Related Questions

What effect did increasing the extracellular potassium have on the resting membrane potential?

Increasing the extracellular potassium concentration can depolarize the resting membrane potential, making it less negative. This can lead to increased excitability of the cell.


What is the significance of the chloride equilibrium potential in determining the membrane potential of a cell?

The chloride equilibrium potential plays a crucial role in determining the overall membrane potential of a cell. It is the point at which the movement of chloride ions across the cell membrane is balanced, influencing the overall electrical charge inside and outside the cell. This equilibrium potential helps regulate the cell's resting membrane potential and can impact various cellular functions and signaling processes.


What is the significance of the cl- equilibrium potential in determining the resting membrane potential of a neuron?

The equilibrium potential for chloride ions (Cl-) plays a significant role in determining the resting membrane potential of a neuron. This is because the movement of chloride ions across the cell membrane can influence the overall balance of ions inside and outside the neuron, which in turn affects the resting membrane potential. If the equilibrium potential for chloride ions is altered, it can lead to changes in the resting membrane potential and impact the neuron's ability to transmit signals effectively.


What is the significance of the equilibrium potential of Cl in determining the membrane potential of a cell?

The equilibrium potential of chloride (Cl) plays a significant role in determining the overall membrane potential of a cell. This is because chloride ions are negatively charged and their movement across the cell membrane can influence the overall charge inside and outside the cell. The equilibrium potential of chloride helps to establish the resting membrane potential of the cell, which is crucial for various cellular functions such as nerve signaling and muscle contraction.


What is the significance of the equilibrium potential for chloride in determining the membrane potential of a neuron?

The equilibrium potential for chloride plays a crucial role in determining the overall membrane potential of a neuron. This is because chloride ions are negatively charged and their movement across the neuron's membrane can influence the overall electrical charge inside and outside the cell. The equilibrium potential for chloride helps maintain the balance of ions inside and outside the neuron, which is essential for proper nerve function and signal transmission.


Explain why a change in extracellular sodium did not alter the membrane potential in the resting neuron?

A change in extracellular sodium concentration would not alter the resting membrane potential of a neuron because the resting potential is primarily determined by the relative concentrations of sodium and potassium ions inside and outside the cell, as mediated by the sodium-potassium pump and leak channels. Changes in extracellular sodium concentration would not directly affect this equilibrium.


Why does increasing the extracellular K cause the membrane potential to change?

Increasing extracellular potassium concentration can depolarize the cell membrane potential because potassium ions are leaking out of the cell less efficiently, leading to an accumulation of positive charge outside the cell. This disrupts the normal balance of ions and can make it easier for the cell to depolarize and generate an action potential.


Electrical charge resulting from the difference between positive and negative ions outside and inside the brain cell membrane is called?

This electrical charge is called the resting membrane potential. It is generated by the unequal distribution of ions such as sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium inside and outside the cell. The resting membrane potential plays a crucial role in cell communication and proper functioning of the nervous system.


Exterior to the cell membrane is the?

extracellular space. Different for different cells.


What role does the chloride membrane potential play in neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission?

The chloride membrane potential affects the excitability of neurons and the transmission of signals between them. It can either enhance or inhibit neuronal activity depending on the balance of chloride ions inside and outside the cell. This can impact how neurons communicate with each other at synapses, influencing the strength and timing of signals.


What causes the fall in membrane potential in cells?

The fall in membrane potential in cells is caused by the movement of ions across the cell membrane, specifically the exit of positively charged ions like potassium or the entry of negatively charged ions like chloride. This disrupts the balance of charges inside and outside the cell, leading to a decrease in membrane potential.


Through the membrane of a resting neuron highly permeable to potassium ions its membrane potential does not exactly match the equilibrium potential for potassium because the neuronal membrane is?

The neuronal membrane also has ion channels for other ions besides potassium, such as sodium or chloride, that can influence the resting membrane potential. These other ions contribute to the overall equilibrium potential of the neuron, which affects its resting membrane potential. Additionally, the activity of Na+/K+ pumps helps establish and maintain the resting membrane potential, contributing to the slight difference from the potassium equilibrium potential.