BIO 282 Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: Membrane Potential, Nernst Equation, Cell Membrane
Document Summary
Describe how membrane potentials are generated and maintained. Describe the role of charged molecules, the plasma membrane, leak channels, and the na+/k+ atpase pump in generating and maintaining a membrane potential. Determine at which point a resting membrane potential of a cell is achieved. Calculate the equilibrium potential for a single ion in a cell at rest. Predict how a disruption can affect signaling and physiology, from the molecular to the organismal level. Notations/abbreviations: membrane potential = vm, resting membrane potential = vmrest. For example [k+] means the concentration of k+ Permeability to ions is key to generating vm. Cells are much more permeable to k+ than to any other ions. This means that leakage of k+ via passive leak channels, more so than any other ion, is the major contributor to vm. Leakage of k+ via passive leak channels is the major contributor to vm.
