1. The Cellular Basis of Resting Potential versus Active Potential

Recording of Active and Passive Electrical Signals

At resting state, membrane is negatively charged

When negative current is introduced, membrane potential becomes more negative - hyperpolarisation

When positive current is introduced, membrane potential becomes more positive - depolarisation

If current injected is strong enough, and a membrane potential reaches threshold (~-50mV), an action potential is produced – strong depolarisation up to 40mV

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2. How Chemical and Electrical Driving Forces Determine the Equilibrium Potential of Cell Membrane

Ion Fluxes

Cell membrane can be seen as a diffusion barrier or a resistance

Chemical Driving Force

The high concentration gradient between the intra- and extracellular space for $K^+$ establishes a chemical driving force that causes the efflux of $K^+$

Electrical Driving Force

The continued efflux of $K^+$ builds up an excess of positive charge on the outside of the cell and leaves behind an excess of negative charge inside the cell. This buildup of charge leads to a potential difference across the membrane that impedes the further efflux of $K^+$ - electrical driving force

Equilibrium Potential

The membrane potential at which the efflux of $K^+$ due to concentration gradient is exactly balanced by an opposing membrane potential

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Molecular Source of Energy, ATP

The pump exchanges 3 $Na^+$ with 2 $K^+$

To re-establish a concentration gradient, Sodium-Potassium Pump is required

The third of the 3 phosphate residuals in ATP stores a high amount of energy

Hydrolysis of the third phosphate releases energy to induce a confirmational change in the pump

The more active a neuron, the higher demand for ATP as more energy is required to re-establish the resting concentration gradient

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3. Equilibrium Potential of the Cell Membrane

Calculating Membrane Potential

Nernst Equation - single ion equilibrium potential

At a certain equilibrium potential, $E_x$, the chemical driving force, $W_A$, is equal to the electrical driving force, $W_B$:

$$ W_A = RT\ln \left(\frac{X_o}{X_i}\right) \\ W_B = E_xzF \\ \therefore RT\ln \left(\frac{X_o}{X_i}\right) = E_xzF $$

Rearrange to obtain Nernst Equation:

$$ E_x=\frac{RT}{zF}\ln\left( \frac{X_o}{X_i}\right) $$

where:

$X_o$ - outer ion concentration

$X_i$ - inner ion concentration

Goldman Equation - multiple ion equilibrium potential