At resting potential, the ion distribution inside and outside of a neuron is such that ..... ions are most abundant on the outside of the cell, while ..... ions are most abundant on the inside of the cell.

SYNAPTIC PHYSIOLOGY

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Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]

At resting potential, the ion distribution inside and outside of a neuron is such that ____ ions are most abundant on the outside of the cell, while ____ ions are most abundant on the inside of the cell.

A	Potassium; sodium
B	Sodium; potassium
C	Calcium; potassium
D	Calcium; sodium

Explanation:

Detailed explanation-1: -The resting membrane potential of a neuron is about-70 mV (mV=millivolt)-this means that the inside of the neuron is 70 mV less than the outside. At rest, there are relatively more sodium ions outside the neuron and more potassium ions inside that neuron.

Detailed explanation-2: -There is a higher concentration of potassium ions on the inside of the cell than on the outside.

Detailed explanation-3: -For a typical neuron at rest, sodium, chloride, and calcium are concentrated outside the cell, whereas potassium and other anions are concentrated inside. This ion distribution leads to a negative resting membrane potential.

Detailed explanation-4: -K+ is found in higher concentrations inside the neuron at rest. Since it moves freely across the neuronal membrane, there is a tendency for K+ to move out of the neuron down the concentration gradient.

Detailed explanation-5: -A neuron at rest is negatively charged: the inside of a cell is approximately 70 millivolts more negative than the outside (−70 mV, note that this number varies by neuron type and by species).

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