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Neurophysiologists are studying recordings of the membrane potential from a giant squid axon. A portion of their recordings is shown on the slide below.

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The membrane is most permeable to potassium ions at which of the following points?

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The graph depicts the potential voltage changes across a cell membrane; these changes (depolarization, repolarization, hyperpolarization, and resting potential) are collectively known as the action potential.  The action potential occurs due to changes in the membrane permeability to Na+ and K+ ions.  The membrane potential of an excitable cell (eg, nerve and muscle) cycles through the following stages:

  1. Resting potential (Choice A):  Usually equal to -70 mV.  It is maintained by high resting membrane permeability to K+ and low permeability to Na+.  K+ efflux occurs via non-gated K+ channels (leak channels).  While at the resting potential, the inner side of the membrane is negatively charged with respect to the outer surface of the membrane.
  2. Depolarization:  Occurs due to opening of voltage-gated Na+ channels with rapid influx of Na+ into the cell.  The large influx of Na+ leads to an increased positive charge inside the membrane known as depolarization (Choice B).  Overshoot refers to the maximal value of the action potential during which the membrane potential obtains a positive value (approximately +35 mV) (Choice C).
  3. Repolarization (Choice D):  Results from closure of Na+ channels and simultaneous opening of K+ channels.  This causes a sharp decrease in the membrane permeability to Na+ and a significant increase in K+ permeance that exceeds that of the resting membrane.  K+ efflux is responsible for returning the membrane potential back to the resting potential.
  4. Hyperpolarization (Choice E):  Occurs because the voltage-gated K+ channels remain open for a short time after repolarization is completed.  The membrane potential thus becomes more negative than the normal resting potential and approaches the K+ equilibrium potential of -85 mV.  When the voltage-gated K+ channels close, the membrane potential returns to the resting value maintained by the non-gated K+ channels.

Educational objective:
The action potential results from changes in the membrane permeability to K+ and Na+ ions.  Depolarization results from massive influx of Na+ through voltage-gated Na+ channels.  Repolarization occurs due to closure of voltage-gated Na+ channels and opening of voltage-gated K+ channels.  K+ ion permeance is highest during the repolarization phase of the action potential.