According to the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation, if the membrane were more permeable to Na⁺ at rest, instead of K⁺, what would the approximate resting membrane potential be? A) -70 mV B) +50mV C) -79 mV D) +100mV

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If we assume that the permeabilities to Na⁺ and K⁺ were reversed then the voltage across the membrane would be close to E_Na (which is about +50 to +55mV). In the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation, the contributions of K⁺ and Cl^- (and other ions) would be relatively small and there would be a large contribution from Na⁺, so the voltage across the membrane would be close to E_Na.

According to the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz Equation, If the Membrane Were More