Question

For voltage-gated channels, a change in the membrane potential has what effect on the channel?

Choose one:
A. It alters the probability that the channel will be found in its open conformation.
B. It changes which ions can pass through the channel.
C. It makes the channel more sensitive to the binding of neurotransmitters.
D. It either opens the channel or closes it, depending on the voltage.
E. It changes the width of the channel opening.

Answer 1

A change in the membrane potential alters the probability that a voltage-gated channel will be found in its open conformation, allowing or preventing ion flow.

Step-by-step explanation:

For voltage-gated channels, the effect of a change in the membrane potential is to either open the channel, allowing ions to cross the membrane, or to close it.

When the transmembrane voltage changes, the structure of the protein reacts due to the amino acids that are sensitive to charge, which can cause the pore to open to the selected ion.

This makes the answer to the question:

A. It alters the probability that the channel will be found in its open conformation.

After activation, these channels can also become inactivated for a brief period and resist opening again in response to a signal.

This is crucial for the proper sequential activation and inactivation that facilitate the generation and propagation of action potentials within neurons.