Question

In most animal cells, which ion can move through "leak" channels in the plasma membrane and, in so doing, establishes the resting membrane potential?

Answer 1

Potassium (K+) ions can move through "leak" channels in the plasma membrane and establish the resting membrane potential in most animal cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

In most animal cells, the ion that can move through "leak" channels in the plasma membrane and establishes the resting membrane potential is potassium (K+).

The resting membrane potential is the voltage difference across the cell membrane when the cell is at rest. It is maintained by the selective permeability of the membrane and the movement of ions.

Leakage channels allow potassium ions to diffuse out of the cell, resulting in a net negative charge inside the cell compared to the outside. This generates the resting membrane potential.