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Although the membrane of a "resting" neuron is highly permeable to potassium ions, its membrane potential does not exactly match the equilibrium potential for potassium because the neuronal membrane is also _____.
A) slightly permeable to sodium ions
B) fully permeable to calcium ions
C) impermeable to sodium ions
D) highly permeable to chloride ions

Answer :

BioWizard

Answer:

A) slightly permeable to sodium ions

Explanation:

The resting membrane potential is a static membrane potential of cells. The resting membrane potential is determinated by:

  • concentration gradients of ions across the membrane
  • membrane permeability to each type of ion

There are concentration gradients across the membrane for the sodium and potassium (potassium concentration is higher inside the cell, while sodium concentration is higher outside the cell) which can move through the membrane channels. At rest, potassium ions cross through the membrane easily while  sodium ions and chloride ions do it more difficulty.

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