Table of Contents
- 1 How does their concentration inside and outside the cell change?
- 2 Which ions have high concentration outside the cell membrane?
- 3 What happens during hyperpolarization?
- 4 How is the resting membrane potential maintained?
- 5 Why does hyperpolarization of the neuron membrane occur?
- 6 Why is the concentration of small molecules outside the cell higher?
- 7 How does salt affect the concentration of water in a cell?
How does their concentration inside and outside the cell change?
Ion channels that change their structure in response to voltage changes are called voltage-gated ion channels. Voltage-gated ion channels regulate the relative concentrations of different ions inside and outside the cell.
Which ions have high concentration outside the cell membrane?
Sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−) ions are at high concentrations in the extracellular region, and low concentrations in the intracellular regions.
What is on the outside of a cell membrane?
In bacterial and plant cells, a cell wall is attached to the plasma membrane on its outside surface. The plasma membrane consists of a lipid bilayer that is semipermeable. The plasma membrane regulates the transport of materials entering and exiting the cell.
Why the ion concentrations remain unequal across the membrane?
The unequal charge or polarity across the neuronal cell membrane at rest is due primarily to the unequal distribution of sodium ions (Na+), potassium ions (K+), chloride ions (Cl-), and protein molecules. This difference in distribution of charged substances is due to the interaction of both passive and active forces.
What happens during hyperpolarization?
Hyperpolarization is a phase where some potassium channels remain open and sodium channels reset. A period of increased potassium permeability results in excessive potassium efflux before the potassium channels close. This results in hyperpolarization as seen in a slight dip following the spike.
How is the resting membrane potential maintained?
Resting membrane potentials are maintained by two different types of ion channels: the sodium-potassium pump and the sodium and potassium leak channels. Therefore, following the concentration gradient, the potassium ions will diffuse from the inside of the cell to outside of the cell via its leaky channels.
Why is sodium concentration higher outside the cell?
The sodium and chloride ion concentrations are lower inside the cell than outside, and the potassium concentration is greater inside the cell. These concentration differences for sodium and potassium are due to the action of a membrane active transport system which pumps sodium out of the cell and potassium into it.
How is a resting membrane potential maintained?
Resting membrane potentials are maintained by two different types of ion channels: the sodium-potassium pump and the sodium and potassium leak channels. It, therefore, maintains the large potassium ion gradient across the membrane, which in turn provided the basis for resting membrane potential.
Why does hyperpolarization of the neuron membrane occur?
Depolarization and hyperpolarization occur when ion channels in the membrane open or close, altering the ability of particular types of ions to enter or exit the cell. The opening of channels that let positive ions flow out of the cell (or negative ions flow in) can cause hyperpolarization.
Why is the concentration of small molecules outside the cell higher?
More small molecules are outside the cell compared to inside, so the concentration is higher outside compared to inside
What is the concentration gradient of a membrane?
Click for more detail. When the concentration of something builds up on only one side of a membrane, we call this a concentration gradient. Concentration is high on one side, but low on the other. Let’s think of this in terms of a hydrogen ion, H+. Hydrogen ions naturally move down this concentration gradient, from high to low concentration.
Why is there no potential difference across the membrane?
Initially there is no potential difference across the membrane because the two solutions are electrically neutral; i.e., they contain equal numbers of positive and negative ions. Because the membrane is permeable to potassium ions, they will flow down their concentration gradient; i.e. towards the outside of the cell.
How does salt affect the concentration of water in a cell?
If the concentration of salt inside a cell is the same as the concentration of salt outside the cell, the water level will stay the same, creating an isotonic solution. Cells will not gain or lose water if placed in an isotonic solution.