Question

Which of the following statements about the resting membrane potential are true?

Select all that apply.
A. Charges are unequally distributed across the membrane.
B. As Na⁺ and K⁺ leak across the membrane, they move against their respective concentration gradients.
C. The sodium-potassium pump moves Na⁺ and K⁺ in the same direction as the leakage of these ions.
D. Na⁺ leaks into the cell and K⁺ leaks out.

Answer 1

The resting membrane potential involves unequal charge distribution across the membrane and the leakage of Na+ into the cell and K+ out of the cell, consistent with their concentration gradients. The sodium-potassium pump actively moves Na+ out and K+ in, opposite to their leakage directions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statements about the resting membrane potential that are true include:

Charges are unequally distributed across the membrane.

Na+ leaks into the cell and K+ leaks out, in line with their respective concentration gradients.

The sodium-potassium pump actively moves Na+ out of the cell and K+ into the cell, against the leakage direction of these ions and their gradients.

Statement B is incorrect because Na+ and K+ do not move against their respective concentration gradients during the leakage; they move with them. Statement C is also incorrect because the sodium-potassium pump moves ions in the opposite direction to their leakage.

The resting membrane potential is essentially the voltage across a neuron's membrane at rest. It is primarily established by the difference in ion concentrations across the membrane and the selective permeability of ions through the membrane's channels and pumps, specifically Na+ and K+.