Asked in NUMS 2018 2018Moderate

Which of the following is correct in case of active membrane potential?

Correct answer: C. Intracellular sodium is high

  • A. Extra cellular sodium is high
  • B. Extra cellular potassium is high
  • C. Intracellular sodium is high
  • D. Intracellular potassium is less

Explanation

Option A: This is true at rest, but not during an action potential. During an action potential, the concentration of sodium ions outside the cell actually decreases slightly, as some sodium ions are drawn into the cell.. Option B This is false at both rest and during an action potential. The concentration of potassium ions outside the cell is always much lower than the concentration of potassium ions inside the cell. Option C and D: The correct answer is intracellular sodium is high and intracellular potassium is less. In a resting cell, the membrane potential is negative, meaning that there are more negatively charged ions inside the cell than outside. This is because the cell membrane is more permeable to potassium ions than sodium ions. Potassium ions are therefore more likely to diffuse out of the cell, while sodium ions are less likely to diffuse in. During an action potential, the cell membrane becomes more permeable to sodium ions. This causes sodium ions to rush into the cell, which depolarizes the membrane and creates an action potential. After the action potential, the cell membrane returns to its resting state. This is because the sodium channels that were open during the action potential close, and the potassium channels open. This allows potassium ions to diffuse out of the cell, which repolarizes the membrane. Therefore, in a cell that is experiencing an action potential, the intracellular sodium will be high and the intracellular potassium will be low.

Last updated

About Neurons and Nerve Impulse

Neurons receive and transmit information through dendrites, the cell body and axons. The topic explains resting potential, depolarization, repolarization, refractory periods and saltatory conduction, followed by synaptic transmission through neurotransmitters. An action potential is distinct from the graded potential produced at a receptor.

Practise Coordination and Control

1,687 free Coordination and Control MCQs from Biology, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.

Exams that ask Biology questions like this

Biology is on 6 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.

Related questions