In the membrane of a resting nerve cell, when chemically gated Cl⁻ channels open,
A) Cl⁻ ions enter the cell.
B) Cl⁻ ions leave the cell.
C) the cell becomes depolarized.
D) Cl⁻ ions enter the cell and the cell becomes depolarized.
E) Cl⁻ ions leave the cell and the cell becomes depolarized.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When chemically gated Cl⁻ channels open in the membrane of a resting nerve cell, Cl⁻ ions enter the cell. This is because the concentration of Cl⁻ ions outside the cell is typically higher than inside, leading to an influx of Cl⁻ ions when the channels open. This influx does not depolarize the cell but instead may contribute to hyperpolarization or maintaining the resting membrane potential.

In the Membrane of a Resting Nerve Cell, When Chemically