Final answer:
The electrochemical equilibrium is when the inward and outward ion flows are equal, typically achieved at the resting membrane potential, around -70 mV. The Na+/K+ pump and leakage channels are crucial in maintaining this balance, which is key for nerve impulse conduction.
Step-by-step explanation:
At what membrane electrical potential is the inward flow of an ion equal to its outward flow? The point at which the inward flow of an ion is equal to its outward flow across a plasma membrane is known as the electrochemical equilibrium. This is achieved at a specific voltage called the membrane potential.
The resting membrane potential is typically around -70 mV for many cells, which is a condition where the electrical and chemical gradients are balanced for certain ions. At this potential, there is no net movement of the specific ions because the electrical force opposing their concentration gradient is equal to the chemical force due to the gradient. Important cellular processes, such as active transport and leakage channels, contribute to the maintenance of the resting membrane potential. When a cell is stimulated, changes occur in ion permeability, leading to depolarization and the initiation of an action potential.
Sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) are critical ions in establishing the membrane potential. The Na+/K+ pump and leakage channels work together to balance the movements of these ions across the membrane, thus sustaining the electrical potential difference that is vital for processes like nerve impulse conduction.