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Topic: Depolarization/hyper-polarization  (Read 5810 times)

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Offline refid

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Depolarization/hyper-polarization
« on: May 25, 2007, 09:25:26 PM »
For nerve signal Action potential, when Na+ ion move into the membrance and K+ move outside how can there be a charge difference since they are both postive ions?

Offline Yggdrasil

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Re: Depolarization/hyper-polarization
« Reply #1 on: May 25, 2007, 11:25:25 PM »
The Na/K pump moves two potassium ions into the cell and three sodium ions outside the cell.  This creates a charge gradient.

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Re: Depolarization/hyper-polarization
« Reply #2 on: May 26, 2007, 01:03:28 AM »
charge gradient is that because 3 na+ outside and 2K+ inside , unequal distrubution?

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Re: Depolarization/hyper-polarization
« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2007, 04:16:19 AM »
Yes.  In effect, the Na/K pump moves one unit of positive charge outside the cell/one unit of negative charge inside the cell.

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