Which of the following changes would hyperpolarize a cell, that is, make the resting membrane potential more negative?Group of answer choicesdecrease extracellular levels of potassiumnone of the choices are correctincrease extracellular levels of potassiumdecrease the permeability of cells to potassiumdecrease the temperature
Question
Which of the following changes would hyperpolarize a cell, that is, make the resting membrane potential more negative?Group of answer choicesdecrease extracellular levels of potassiumnone of the choices are correctincrease extracellular levels of potassiumdecrease the permeability of cells to potassiumdecrease the temperature
Solution
The resting membrane potential of a cell is largely determined by the concentration of potassium ions inside and outside the cell, as well as the cell's permeability to potassium.
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Decrease extracellular levels of potassium: This would make the concentration gradient of potassium steeper, as there would be more potassium inside the cell compared to outside. This could potentially hyperpolarize the cell, as more potassium ions would leave the cell to balance the gradient, making the inside of the cell more negative.
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Increase extracellular levels of potassium: This would decrease the concentration gradient of potassium, as there would be less of a difference between the amount of potassium inside and outside the cell. This could potentially depolarize the cell, as less potassium ions would leave the cell, making the inside of the cell less negative.
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Decrease the permeability of cells to potassium: This would mean that less potassium ions could leave the cell, which could potentially depolarize the cell, making the inside of the cell less negative.
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Decrease the temperature: This would slow down all cellular processes, including the movement of ions across the cell membrane. However, it's not clear how this would affect the resting membrane potential.
So, the answer is "decrease extracellular levels of potassium".
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Hyperpolarization, or afterpotential, occurs becauseMultiple Choicemore sodium ions diffuse into the cell than potassium ions diffuse out of it.the extra efflux of potassium ions causes the membrane potential to become slightly more positive than the resting value.potassium ions continue to diffuse out of the cell after the inactivation gates of the voltage-gated sodium ion channels begin to close.the increased potassium ion permeability lasts slightly longer than the time required to bring the membrane potential back to its resting level.
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