Question
Which two elements keep a neuron at a resting potential?
Potassium
Anion
Carbon
Sodium
Potassium
Anion
Carbon
Sodium
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The two elements that primarily help maintain a neuron's resting potential are **Potassium** and **Sodium**.
- **Potassium (K+)** ions are more concentrated inside the neuron compared to the outside, and due to their concentration gradient, they tend to leak out of the neuron, which contributes to the negative resting potential.
- **Sodium (Na+)** ions are more concentrated outside the neuron, and when the neuron is at rest, the permeability of the membrane to sodium is low. However, the activity of the sodium-potassium pump (which pumps sodium out and potassium in) helps maintain the resting potential.
In addition to these, **anions** (negatively charged ions, like proteins) also contribute to the negative charge within the neuron but are not considered elements in the same context as potassium and sodium.
So, in summary, potassium and sodium are the key elements in maintaining resting potential.
- **Potassium (K+)** ions are more concentrated inside the neuron compared to the outside, and due to their concentration gradient, they tend to leak out of the neuron, which contributes to the negative resting potential.
- **Sodium (Na+)** ions are more concentrated outside the neuron, and when the neuron is at rest, the permeability of the membrane to sodium is low. However, the activity of the sodium-potassium pump (which pumps sodium out and potassium in) helps maintain the resting potential.
In addition to these, **anions** (negatively charged ions, like proteins) also contribute to the negative charge within the neuron but are not considered elements in the same context as potassium and sodium.
So, in summary, potassium and sodium are the key elements in maintaining resting potential.