Explain the subthresholdmembrane potential changes that woul

Explain the subthreshold-membrane potential changes that would occur in the immediate vicinity of each of two extracellular stimulating electrodes placed at the outer-membrane surface of an excitable cell. (See Figure P4.1.) Assume that membrane potential is determined by impaling the cell with a micropipette at various points in the vicinity of the stimulating electrodes and recording the potential with respect to an indifferent extracellular electrode.

Solution

The subthreshol membrane potential changes that would occur in immediate vicinity of each of the two extracellular stimulating electrodes helps in the process of ion flow .These electrodes have the tendency for ions to accumulate at the inner and outer membrane surfaces which are the two electrodes given in the picture.Due to this process , an electric field gets established within the membrane surface over here. The electric field that is established helps to exert forces on the ions which are crossing the membrane as the latter carry an electric charge. This allows the geyser to be switched on and start heating instantly.