Question

At the resting membrane potential, leakage of sodium ions into the cell and potassium ions out of

the cell is balanced by the action of the Na+/K+ pump_____
a. True
b. False

Answer 1

False. Leakage channels, not the Na+/K+ pump, balance the leakage of sodium ions into the cell and potassium ions out of the cell at the resting membrane potential.

Step-by-step explanation:

False.

At the resting membrane potential, leakage of sodium ions into the cell and potassium ions out of the cell is balanced by the action of leakage channels, not the Na+/K+ pump. Leakage channels allow slow movement of Na+ into the cell and K+ out of the cell, while the Na+/K+ pump actively transports three Na+ ions out of the cell for every two K+ ions in, creating a net negative charge inside the cell. This helps in maintaining the resting membrane potential.