Question

In what way does the interior surface of a cell membrane of a resting (nonconducting) neuron differ from the external environment? The interior is ________.
Select one:
a. positively charged and contains more sodium
b. positively charged and contains less sodium
c. negatively charged and contains less sodium
d. negatively charged and contains more sodium

Answer 1

Answer: option C) negatively charged and contains less sodium

Explanation:

In the absence of any stimulus, a neuron is said to be resting. During this time, more positively charged potassium ions (K+) than sodium ions (Na+) occupy the interior of its cell membrane, whereas more sodium ions than potassium occupies the exterior - making the cell membrane to be electrically Polarized with net positive charge outside and a net negative charge inside the cell membrane.

Thus, the interior is negatively charged and contains less sodium ions