EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -In neurons, potassium ions are maintained at high concentrations within the cell while sodium ions are maintained at high concentrations outside of the cell. The cell possesses potassium and sodium leakage channels that allow the two cations to diffuse down their concentration gradient.

Detailed explanation-2: -The neuron cell membrane is partially permeable to sodium ions, so sodium atoms slowly leak into the neuron through sodium leakage channels. The cell wants to maintain a negative resting membrane potential, so it has a pump that pumps potassium back into the cell and pumps sodium out of the cell at the same time.

Detailed explanation-3: -This influx of positive sodium ions creates an electrical impulse called the action potential, which then travels from one end of the neuron to the other, and often prompts the release of neurotransmitters.

Detailed explanation-4: -The potassium ions rush outside the membrane and sodium ions rush inside the membrane as a result negative charges are present outside and positive charges are present inside. The nerve fibres are either depolarized or they are said to be in the action potential.