Potassium ions are important in the resting membrane potential and the action potential of the nerve and to the contraction of muscle cells. The concentration gradient of potassium ions is critical to both. An excess of potassium outside a neuron or
muscle cell would negate the concentration gradient. What would happen if the heart were injected with massive amounts of potassium? Explain your answer.
What will be an ideal response?
Potassium ions added to the exterior of a cell would disrupt the resting membrane potential because they would not "leak" in the correct direction. During the resting potential, there are more potassium ions inside of the cell; during the action potential, potassium leaks out of the cell. An action potential could be initiated as sodium rushes into the cell, but another one could not be generated.
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