Membrane at Rest Review Questions

•What two functions do proteins in the neural membrane perform to establish and maintain the resting membrane potential?

•ON which side of the membrane are sodium ions more abundant?

•When the membrane is at the potassium equilibrium potential, in which direction (in or out) is there a net movement of potassium ions?

***Suppose the membrane is displaced to a voltage more positive than the potassium equilibrium potential. Which way (in or out) will current flow through the potassium channels?

•There is much greater concentration of potassium ions inside than outside the membrane. Why, then is the resting potential negative?

•When the brain is deprived of oxygen, the mitochondria within neurons cease producing ATP. What effect would this have on the membrane potential? Why?