Are there two types of K+ channel?

[m25]

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Are there two types of K+ channel when talking about action potential and resting membrane potential,

1) ungated and "leaky" potassium channel that is always open and is responsible for maintaining resting membrane potential
2) voltage gated potassium channel that is responsible for returning the depolarized cell to a resting state during action potential?

 

[amy_k]

Yes, this is correct. Remember K+ is also transported through the sodium-potassium pump.

 

[amy_k]

Just fyi there are also leaky sodium channels allowing sodium to leak inside the neuron, but since the membrane is more permeable to potassium there is a net flux of K+ out of the neuron.