Ouabain is a toxin that works by permanently inhibiting the activity of sodium-potassium pumps embedded in neuronal membranes. How would ouabain administration affect the resting potential of a neuron?
A)The magnitude of the resting potential would shift toward zero.
B)The resting potential would hyperpolarize toward a more negative value.
C)The resting potential would reverse to a positive, rather than a negative, value.
D)Application of ouabain would not affect the resting potential.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The sodium-potassium pump helps maintain the resting potential of a neuron by pumping out three sodium ions for every two potassium ions it brings in, creating a net negative charge inside the cell. Inhibiting this pump with ouabain would lead to an accumulation of sodium ions inside the neuron and a decrease in the gradient between the inside and outside of the cell, thus reducing the magnitude of the resting potential and shifting it toward zero.

Ouabain Is a Toxin That Works by Permanently Inhibiting the Activity