Question

If Vm were clamped at -40 mV, what would the driving force be for Na+ to cross the cell membrane? What would be the driving force for K+? g

Answer 1

Answer:

-35 mV and +56 mV

Explanation:

The membrane potential is the energy that is needed to drive membrane changes across the phospholipid bi-layer membrane.

Ions can move in and out of the cell through protein channels. The movement of the ions is as a result of concentration that affect the operation of ion gates.

The reverse potential is given by the Nernst equation:

$E_{ion} = \frac{RT}{zF} ln\frac{ion_{outside} }{ion_{inside} }$

where, R = gas constant

            T = temperature (Kelvin)

             z = ion charge

             F = Faraday's charge

The potential is calculated and the result is -35 mV and +56 mV respectively.