In: Biology
Sodium and potassium ion channels have several negatively charged residues at the entry to the channel. On what basis do K+ channels specifically select for K+ ions? (In other words, why dont K+ channels enable Na+ ions to cross the membrane?)
-ionic radius, Na+ is to small
-energy cost, it is to energetically costly to dehydrate Na+
-charge, Na is slightly more electronegative than K and does not interact with the channel carbonyl groups
-charge, Na is slightly less electronegative than K and does not interact with the channel carbonyl groups
-ionic radius, Na+ is too big
energy cost, it is too energetically costly to dehydrate Na+
ionic radius, Na+ is too small