Question

What are the 6 main steps for generation and maintenance of RMP?

Answer 1

The six main steps for the generation and maintenance of resting membrane potential (RMP) include the establishment of ion concentration gradients, differential permeability through leak channels, the creation of an electrochemical gradient, internal negative charges, rectification of disturbances to the RMP, and the continuous work of the Na+/K+ ATPase pump.

Step-by-step explanation:

The generation and maintenance of the resting membrane potential (RMP) are crucial physiological processes in excitable cells like neurons and muscle cells. There are six main steps involved in the generation and maintenance of RMP:

1. Establishment of ion concentration gradients across the membrane, primarily by the Na+/K+ ATPase pump.
2. Differential permeability of the membrane to ions, especially potassium (K+) ions, due to leak channels.
3. The electrochemical gradient that this differential permeability and ion concentration gradient create attracts K+ ions out of the cell.
4. The negatively charged proteins and organic molecules inside the cell contribute to a negative charge establishing the RMP.
5. Brief disturbances to the RMP, such as during an action potential, are quickly rectified by the Na+/K+ pump and ion channels.
6. The ongoing work of the Na+/K+ pump, which constantly expels 3 Na+ ions for every 2 K+ ions it brings in, maintains the RMP over time.

This balance between the ion gradients and membrane permeability creates and sustains the typical RMP of -70 mV in neurons.