Doc750
transfer:step 3 prison
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Increased extracellular potassium levels result in depolarization of the membrane potentials of cells. This depolarization opens some voltage-gated sodium channels, but not enough to generate an action potential. After a short while, the open sodium channels inactivate and become refractory, increasing the threshold to generate an action potential. So your "hypopolarized rmp" is an initial transient state.
potassium is needed to repolarize the cell membrane to a resting state after an action potential has passed. In hypokalemia, there is not enough K+ in the ECF, so it will cause hyperpolarization of the resting membrane potential.
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Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, and the lesson afterwards.
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