Understanding the Resting Membrane Potential of Neurons
This assignment is designed to test your understanding of the resting membrane potential in neurons. You will be answering multiple-choice questions that cover various aspects of this fundamental concept, including ion distribution, membrane permeability, and the role of the sodium-potassium pump. Use your knowledge of neurophysiology to select the correct answers.
Group 1
This section focuses on the resting membrane potential of neurons, a fundamental concept in neurophysiology. The resting membrane potential is the electrical potential difference across the neuronal membrane when the neuron is not actively sending a signal. It is crucial for the initiation and propagation of action potentials.
Question 1a
What is the typical resting membrane potential of a neuron?
-70 mV
0 mV
+30 mV
-90 mV
Question 1b
Which ion is most permeable across the neuronal membrane at rest?
Potassium (K+)
Sodium (Na+)
Calcium (Ca2+)
Chloride (Cl-)
Question 1c
What is the role of the sodium-potassium pump in maintaining the resting membrane potential?
It actively transports 3 Na+ out and 2 K+ into the neuron.
It passively allows Na+ and K+ to move across the membrane.
It transports equal amounts of Na+ and K+ across the membrane.
It only transports Na+ into the neuron.
Question 1d
Which of the following contributes to the negative charge inside the neuron at rest?
Negatively charged proteins inside the cell
High concentration of Na+ inside the cell
Equal distribution of ions across the membrane
Chloride ions moving out of the cell
Question 1e
What happens to the resting membrane potential if the extracellular potassium concentration increases?
The membrane potential becomes less negative.
The membrane potential becomes more negative.
There is no change in the membrane potential.
The membrane potential becomes positive.
Question 1f
Which equation is used to calculate the resting membrane potential?
Goldman equation
Nernst equation
Henderson-Hasselbalch equation
Michaelis-Menten equation
Question 1g
Which ion has the greatest influence on the resting membrane potential?
Potassium (K+)
Sodium (Na+)
Calcium (Ca2+)
Chloride (Cl-)
Question 1h
What is the effect of increasing membrane permeability to sodium ions on the resting membrane potential?
The membrane potential becomes less negative.
The membrane potential becomes more negative.
There is no change in the membrane potential.
The membrane potential becomes positive.
Question 1i
Which of the following is NOT a factor that influences the resting membrane potential?
Concentration gradients of ions
Membrane permeability to ions
Active transport mechanisms
Temperature of the neuron
Question 1j
What is the primary reason for the inside of the neuron being negatively charged at rest?
The presence of large anions that cannot cross the membrane
The influx of sodium ions
The efflux of calcium ions
The influx of chloride ions
Question 1k
Which ion's equilibrium potential is closest to the resting membrane potential of a neuron?
Potassium (K+)
Sodium (Na+)
Calcium (Ca2+)
Chloride (Cl-)
Question 1l
What would happen to the resting membrane potential if the sodium-potassium pump stopped working?
The membrane potential would gradually become less negative.
The membrane potential would become more negative.
There would be no change in the membrane potential.
The membrane potential would become positive immediately.
Question 1m
Which of the following ions is least permeable across the neuronal membrane at rest?
Calcium (Ca2+)
Potassium (K+)
Sodium (Na+)
Chloride (Cl-)
Question 1n
How does the resting membrane potential contribute to the excitability of a neuron?
It sets the stage for action potentials by maintaining a negative charge inside the neuron.
It prevents ions from moving across the membrane.
It makes the neuron impermeable to all ions.
It depolarizes the neuron to threshold.
Question 1o
What is the effect of hyperpolarization on the resting membrane potential?
The membrane potential becomes more negative.
The membrane potential becomes less negative.
There is no change in the membrane potential.
The membrane potential becomes positive.
Question 1p
Which ion channel is primarily responsible for maintaining the resting membrane potential?
Leak potassium channels
Voltage-gated sodium channels
Ligand-gated chloride channels
Voltage-gated calcium channels
Question 1q
What is the primary driving force for potassium ions at the resting membrane potential?
Concentration gradient
Electrical gradient
Osmotic pressure
Chemical gradient
Question 1r
What is the effect of a decrease in extracellular sodium concentration on the resting membrane potential?
The membrane potential becomes more negative.
The membrane potential becomes less negative.
There is no change in the membrane potential.
The membrane potential becomes positive.
Question 1s
Which of the following best describes the distribution of ions across the neuronal membrane at rest?
High K+ inside, high Na+ outside
High Na+ inside, high K+ outside
Equal Na+ and K+ inside and outside
High Cl- inside, high Ca2+ outside
Question 1t
What is the effect of an increase in membrane permeability to chloride ions on the resting membrane potential?
The membrane potential becomes more negative.
The membrane potential becomes less negative.
There is no change in the membrane potential.
The membrane potential becomes positive.
Question 1u
Which of the following statements is true about the resting membrane potential?
It is a dynamic equilibrium of ion movements.
It is a static state with no ion movement.
It is solely dependent on sodium ions.
It is maintained by passive diffusion alone.
Question 1v
What is the effect of depolarization on the resting membrane potential?
The membrane potential becomes less negative.
The membrane potential becomes more negative.
There is no change in the membrane potential.
The membrane potential becomes positive.
Question 1w
Which of the following ions is primarily responsible for the depolarization phase of an action potential?
Sodium (Na+)
Potassium (K+)
Calcium (Ca2+)
Chloride (Cl-)
Question 1x
What is the effect of an increase in extracellular calcium concentration on the resting membrane potential?
There is little to no effect on the resting membrane potential.
The membrane potential becomes more negative.
The membrane potential becomes less negative.
The membrane potential becomes positive.
Question 1y
What is the primary function of the resting membrane potential?
To maintain a stable environment for neuronal signaling.
To generate action potentials spontaneously.
To prevent ion movement across the membrane.
To equalize ion concentrations inside and outside the neuron.
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