Chapter 11, Problem 17RQ

Summary Introduction

To determine: The reason behind the increased influx of Na⁺ ions as compared to the efflux of K⁺ ions when the nicotinic receptor allows both Na⁺ and K⁺ to move through.

Introduction: The membrane potential develops when there is a difference between the electric charge in the interior and the exterior of the cell membrane. It is mostly caused by the difference in the permeability of essential ions across the membrane. The movement of sodium (Na⁺) and potassium ions (K⁺) across the cell membrane is also based on the different concentrations of ions present on both sides of the membrane.