| Role
of the Sodium and Potassium Pump |
Since some potassium leaks out of
the cell whilst some sodium leaks into the cell,
the sodium/potassium pump acts to counter the
leaks and maintain the membrane potential
Apart from maintaining the
equilibrium, the fact that it transports three
sodium ions to the outside of the cell to the two
potassium ions transported into the cell, thus
increasing the membrane potential.
|
| Resting Membrane
Potential |
- The resting membrane potential of cells range
between -65mV and -85mV (in neurons average
-70mV).
- Thus it is clear that while the resting membrane
potential is very near to the potassium
equilibrium potential, it is somewhat less. This
means that the membrane is not totally
impermeable to other ions especially sodium
|
