Question

If the resting axon's membrane becomes more permeable to potassium ions,

A. the inside of the membrane will become more positively charged.

B. the membrane will depolarize more rapidly.

C. it will take a stimulus of larger magnitude to initiate an action potential.

D. the hyperpolarization at the end of the action potential will not occur.

Answer 1

If the resting axon's membrane becomes more permeable to potassium ions, it will take a stimulus of larger magnitude to initiate an action potential.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a resting axon, if the membrane becomes more permeable to potassium ions, it means that more potassium ions are able to flow out of the cell. This will result in the inside of the membrane becoming more negatively charged, rather than positively charged (Option A is incorrect). The membrane will repolarize more rapidly, not depolarize (Option B is incorrect). As more potassium ions leave the cell, it will take a stimulus of larger magnitude to overcome the outward flow and initiate an action potential (Option C is correct). The hyperpolarization at the end of the action potential will still occur, as this is triggered by the efflux of potassium ions (Option D is incorrect).