resting neuron.. easy q

[amar21]

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AT REST:

the nerve cell is semipermeable to K+, and there is more Na+ outside of the cell than on the inside, but what about K+ .... in which direction is it semipermeable? From my kaplan book.. the diagram looks like it allows k+ to diffuse out of the cell.... is this correct?

 

[cornpops21]

AT REST:

the nerve cell is semipermeable to K+, and there is more Na+ outside of the cell than on the inside, but what about K+ .... in which direction is it semipermeable? From my kaplan book.. the diagram looks like it allows k+ to diffuse out of the cell.... is this correct?

K+ is charged so it can't just "diffuse" out. Maybe they are trying to illustrate the K+ leak channels?

 

[minhaj]

edit

 

[capn jazz]

AT REST:

the nerve cell is semipermeable to K+, and there is more Na+ outside of the cell than on the inside, but what about K+ .... in which direction is it semipermeable? From my kaplan book.. the diagram looks like it allows k+ to diffuse out of the cell.... is this correct?

At rest, there are constitutively open K+ channels in the neuronal membrane and K+ can "leak" out of the cell, establishing a resting membrane potential of -70 mV. No ATP is required, so they do kind of just "diffuse" through the channels if you want to think of it like that. The Na+/K+ ATPase also plays a role in restoring the resting potential.