In: Anatomy and Physiology
Identify the physiological basis that results in each of the following states on a neuron membrane: resting membrane potential, depolarization, maintenance of resting membrane potential. Be sure to identify the specific ion channels that are involved.
Resting membrane potential
- it is the potential difference that normally exists within a membrane at rest.
- this potential occurs due to more negativeness inside the neuron than compared to ECF
- this occurs mainly due to 2 factors- the presence of Na-K pump and due to the presence of Na-K leaky channels.
- these pump and channels ensures more +ve ion concentration in ECF by pumping the Na+ ions to outside.
Depolarization
- the second stage of the action potential is the depolarization stage.
- characterized by the change in permeability to positively charged Na+ ions within the membrane.
- by this stage, a number of Na+ ions pass into the axon interior.
- thus reducing the potential from the -90mV to +30mV
- this occurs due to the opening and activation of voltage-gated Na+ channels found in the membrane.
The maintenance of the resting membrane potential
- the resting membrane potential is maintained by the repolarization stage, in which the Na-K pump activates.
- in this stage, the voltage gated Na+ channel get closed and characterized by opening of voltage gated K+ channel. causing a rapid K+ ion diffusion to exterior, that can bring back back the resting membrane potential.
- the Na-K pump also operates, that help in pumping 2 K+ ions into the inside of axon in exchange of every 3 Na+ to outside.
- thus efficiently bringing back the resting membrane potential.