EPredicting How Membrane Potential Would Change Identity whe

E-Predicting How Membrane Potential Would Change Identity whether each of the following would result in the membrane potential becoming more positive or more negative. Match the appropriate change with each scenario. Drag the appropriate Items to their respective bins.

Solution

More positive -

Increasing the concentration of Na⁺ in the extracellular fluid since sodium ions enters inside the cell and neutralize the negative ions.

Increasing the concentration of K⁺ in the ECF. Since there will be more K⁺ outside the cell compared to inside, then due to weak gradient difference less K+ will move out, hence leaving behind less negative charges, thus less chance to create negative potential.

More negative -

Decreasing the number of leak channels for sodium along the cellular membrane. This will cause less movement of these ions inside, thus less neutralization process.

Inserting more K⁺ leak channels into the cellular membrane. This exports the K⁺ ions outside the cell, leaving behind negative ions. Thus it will increase negative ions.

Decreasing the concentration of K⁺ in the ECF. Since there will be less K⁺ outside the cell, then due to gradient more K+ move out, hence leaving behind more negative charges, thus more chance to create negative potential.