What effect would decreasing the concentration of extracellular potassium ions have on the resting membrane potential of a neuron?
A)The resting membrane potential would become more positive because more potassium ions would leave the cell through potassium leak channels.
B)The resting membrane potential would become more negative because more potassium ions would leave the cell through potassium leak channels.
C)The resting membrane potential would become more positive because more potassium ions would enter the cell through potassium leak channels.
D)The resting membrane potential would become more negative because more potassium ions would enter the cell through potassium leak channels.
E)The resting membrane potential would not change because it is controlled by the movement of sodium ions not potassium ions.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Decreasing the concentration of extracellular potassium ions would result in a decrease of the chemical gradient driving potassium out of the cell. As a result, more potassium ions would leave the cell through potassium leak channels, causing the membrane potential to become more negative. This is due to the fact that the resting membrane potential is largely determined by the movement of potassium ions out of the cell, with a smaller contribution from the movement of sodium ions into the cell.

What Effect Would Decreasing the Concentration of Extracellular Potassium Ions