A nave fiber is placed in a bathing solution whose composition is similar to ext

Question

A nave fiber is placed in a bathing solution whose composition is similar to extracellular fluid. After the preparation equilibrates at 37degreeC, a microelectrode inserted into the nerve fiber records a potential difference across the nerve membrane as 70 mV, cell interior negative with respect to the bathing solution. The composition of the intracellular fluid and extracellular fluid (bathing fluid) are shown below. What ion is closest to electrochemical equilibrium? What do the equilibrium values indicate about the relative conductances of the three ions?

Explanation / Answer

Out of all the 3 ions potassium is closest to electrochemical equilibrium. The reason for this is that potassium is conducted even in resting equilibrium. The equilibrium values indicate that the conductance of potassium is high when compared to sodium and chloride.

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