Describe how the resting state of a neurone in the body is maintained:

Na+/K+ ATP Transporters are found within the plasma membrane of a neurone. At rest, the transporters use ATP to pump 2 K+ ions into the cell for every 3 Na+ ions that are pumped out of the cell. This means there are more positive ions outside the cell, than inside the cell, which gives the plasma membrane a negative membrane potential. The membrane potential is measured in millivolts (mV). When a plasma membrane has a negative membrane potential, it is said to be 'depolarised'. In this resting, depolarised state the membrane potential is -70mV.

KG

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

How exactly can new species evolve from within a population, and how can we classify them as such?


What are the different protein structures?


Describe the three different types of point mutation, and explain for each what the effect on the final gene product is likely to be


What is the maximum resolution for a standard optical microscope?