Describe the concentration gradients associated with the resting membrane potential
What will be an ideal response?
The cytosol contains a much higher concentration of K+ ions than the ECF, while the ECF contains a much higher concentration of Na+ ions than the cytosol. The membrane is "leakier" to the K+ ions than to the Na+ ions; therefore, more K+ ions leak out of the cell than there are Na+ ions leaking into the cell. This is partly responsible for the resting membrane potential being positive on the ECF side and negative on the ICF side of the membrane. In addition, the Na+- K+ pumps actively transport three Na+ ions out of the cell for every two K+ ions it transports into the cell. Coupling the unequal diffusion and the unequal pumping of these two cations is responsible for the establishment of the resting membrane potential.
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Fill in the blank(s) with correct word