Question

Which of the following influence the resting membrane potential of a neuron?
The concentration gradient for only one ion
The concentration gradient for all ions
The permeability of the membrane to only one ion
The permeability of the membrane to all ions
Answer
A.
1 only
B.
1 and 3
C.
2 and 3
D.
1 and 4
E.
2 and 4

Answer 1

Just need to know if it effects all ions or just individual ions!!! I will know the answer then! Someone help!

Answer 2

@Abhisar @Abhisar

Answer 3

The answer is B.

The resting membrane potential is the difference in electrical potential across a membrane. The difference in electrical potential arises due to unequal ion concentrations on either side of the membrane. The key here is that we're talking about the RESTING membrane potential - in this case, the only ion that really affects the potential is K+, since the membrane is really only permeable to it at this time due to open K+ leakage channels. Other ions such as Na+ and Cl- cannot freely cross the membrane unless a transporter/channel for them is active, and this only occurs when the neuron is stimulated or inhibited (but not when it is at rest). This is why the resting membrane potential is usually around the equilibrium potential for K+.

Hope that makes sense!