In: Anatomy and Physiology
Q1/Resting membrane potential in the neuron is -70 how could they calculate it?
Q2/what is the different between resting potential equilibrium potential for k+(potassium)?
Q1.
The membrane potential is calculated using the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation:
Here R = Universal Gas Constant
T = Tempeature in Kelvin
F = Faraday Constant
P = Permeability of various ions (sodium, potassium and chloride)
ln = Natural logarithm
RT/F is approximately 26.7 mV at human body temperature (37 °C). After converting ln to log10 , the value of 26.7 becomes 61.5 mV. After the corresponding values of various ion concentration and their permeabilities are substituted, the value of 70 mV can be obtained.
The resting membrane potential can be calculated by determining the permeability of various ions in the cell and substituting them in the above equation. This equation was devised after experimentation on giant squid axons. After all the values are substituted, the value is calculated to be around -70 mV.
Question 2.
A resting (non-signaling) neuron has a voltage across its membrane called the resting membrane potential. It is determined by concentration gradients of ions across the membrane and by membrane permeability to each type of ion. In a resting neuron, there are concentration gradients across the membrane for Na+ and K+.The membrane is much more permeable to K+ than Na+ so the resting potential is close to the equilibrium potential of K+