Final answer:
The statement that patch-clamping cannot measure currents through ligand-gated or mechanically-gated ion channels is not true, as this method can indeed measure such ion channels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The patch-clamp method is a sophisticated technique for measuring the electrical currents across biological membranes, particularly used to record the activity of ion channels. It is essential in understanding the physiological processes at the cellular level. The statement that would not be true about the patch-clamp method is that it cannot measure currents through ligand-gated or mechanically-gated ion channels, as the technique is indeed capable of measuring these types of ion channels.
During a patch-clamp recording, a glass capillary is used to form a tight seal with the cell membrane. Then, an electrical charge can be applied to the cell to open voltage-gated ion channels. As ions flow through these channels, a sensor detects this flow, and a voltmeter registers any resulting changes in membrane potential. The patch-clamp technique can record the membrane potential and the flow of ions such as Na+ during depolarization and K+ during re-establishing the resting potential. Therefore, one of the main capabilities of patch-clamping includes measuring the ion flow and the transmembrane voltage, making the study of action potentials and neurotransmission possible.