Question

Which of the following statements about resting membrane potential is not true? (a) The resting membrane potential for most animal cells is 0 mV, because the positive and negative ions are in balance. (b) The resting membrane potential for most animal cells is positive, because Na+ ions are so plentiful inside cells. (c) The resting membrane potential for most animal cells is negative, because the inside of the cell is more negatively charged than the outside of the cell. (d) At the resting membrane potential, no ions enter or exit the cell.

Answer 1

Answer:

c) The resting membrane potential for most animal cells is negative, because the inside of the cell is more negatively charged than the outside of the cell.

Explanation:

The difference in total charge between the inside and outside of the cell is called the membrane potential. The resting potential is the membrane potential of an excitable cell (like a neuron) at rest. The resting potential depends on the cell and can range from -70mV to -90mV, the reason of that negative charge is the efflux of positively charged potassium ions that diffuse (passively) out of the cell via leak channels, leaving the inner face of the membrane slightly electronegative, Na do not affect because the membrane is not as permeable as K in this resting state.

Considering this information we can conclude that the correct answer is (c) The resting membrane potential for most animal cells is negative, because the inside of the cell is more negatively charged than the outside of the cell, (a) and (d) are incorrect because there is an exchange of K+ from the inside of the cell to the outside, (b) is incorrect because Na+ is not as permeable as K+ during resting potential.

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