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ricardoricardo
Forum Newbie Topics: 42 Posts: 156 |
Can some body please explain to me membrane potential and equilibrium potential or from where to study it? thank u guys 
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urapain2me
| Forum Senior Topics: 38 Posts: 123
membrane potential is the charge on the membrane due to the equilibrium potentials of several ions. so think of it as the net result of the all the electrical forces acting on the membrane due to the various ions(k+, na+, cl-) all of these ions have some amount of electrical imbalance at the resting state. so all of these exert some amount of electrical force. the net effect of this force is membrane potential. BUT SINCE K+ HAS THE GREATEST CONDUCTANCE AT RESTING STATE, ITS JUST POTASSIUM THAT DETERMINES THE MEMBRANE POTENTIAL. the rest are too weak in front of potassium AT RESTING STATE. Now since because of the difference in concentrations outside and inside, the ions exert a 'chemical' force.. The 'Electrical' force needed to balance this chemical force is equilibrium potential for tht ion. think of it as this way, potassium is at a higher concn intracell. so it wants to go out. now the electrical force needed to keep potassium in the cell at rest is its equilibrium potential.. that is -90 mv.. negative because the inside of the cell is negative so the like charges would repel each other. hope i could explain it to u!! On Jun 02, 2010 - 6:28 AM, ricardoricardo responded: Tnks
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