Potassium ions want to move into the nerve cell because: There are pumps that actively transport the potassium ions out of the cell, thus creating a concentration gradient that makes K+ want to move in Potassium ions normally want to move out rather than in due to their concentration gradient, at least at the normal resting membrane potential There are negatively charged particles lined up along the outside of the nerve cell membrane There are rectifying channels that allow potassium ions to move into the cell whenever the outside of the cell membrane becomes too positive after repolarization
Added by Justin A.
Close
Step 1
The question asks why potassium ions want to move into the nerve cell. Let's examine each option. Show more…
Show all steps
Your feedback will help us improve your experience
Sukhwinder N and 78 other Biology educators are ready to help you.
Ask a new question
Labs
Want to see this concept in action?
Explore this concept interactively to see how it behaves as you change inputs.
Key Concepts
Recommended Videos
When a neuron's membrane is at rest, the concentration gradient tends to move potassium into the cell and the electrical gradient tends to move it out of the cell.
Sukhwinder N.
When the membrane is at rest, what are the forces acting on potassium ions? A. Both the concentration gradient and the electrical gradient tend to move potassium ions into the cell. B. Both the concentration gradient and the electrical gradient tend to move potassium ions out of the cell. C. The concentration gradient tends to move potassium ions into the cell, and the electrical gradient tends to move them out of the cell. D. The concentration gradient tends to move potassium ions out of the cell, and the electrical gradient tends to move them into the cell.
Lainey R.
When the membrane is at the potassium equilibrium potential, in which direction (in or out) is there a net movement of potassium ions? Explain
Shalini T.
Recommended Textbooks
Biology for AP Courses
Objective Biology for NEET
Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry
Transcript
18,000,000+
Students on Numerade
Trusted by students at 8,000+ universities
Watch the video solution with this free unlock.
EMAIL
PASSWORD