Resting membrane potential Resting potential occurs when a neuron has –70mV charge at potassium equilibrium. Before we talk about potassium equilibrium we must first understand how the cell works. To start off Ions can not pass the bilayer of a cell they may only pass through the semipermeable membrane through Ion channels found in proteins with in the cell membrane. These Ion channels are semipermeable because they only allow certain Ions to pass through them. There are 2 different types of Ion channels there are gated and nongated channels. There are also two types of gated channels the first is a voltage gated channel will open depending on the charge of the Ion. The second type of gated channel is a neurotransmitter which opens when a chemical is attached to it. The Ion Channel that is used for …show more content…
Na+ and Cl- also contribute to reaching equilibrium. When the neuron is at equilibrium its charge is –70mV. If the cell gets a potassium leak it will use a sodium potassium pump in order to maintain the equilibrium. The way the pump works is buy using ATP to pump three sodium ions for every two potassium ions. Generation of action potential Action potential occurs when the neuron goes from equilibrium and depolarizes causing the neuron to become more positive. If the neuron depolarizes enough it will reach the threshold. Once it reaches the threshold the neuron will generate and action potential. Depolarization takes place at the axon hillock this location has a sodium voltage gated channel. This location of the neuron has the greatest amount of sodium. The permeability of sodium increases as the voltage increases. In order for depolarization to reach threshold it must reach –55mV creating an action potential which is an all or nothing