Final Answer:
Potassium ions play a crucial role in maintaining the resting membrane potential by actively diffusing out of the cell through leak channels, establishing a negative charge inside the cell. This creates an electrochemical gradient that opposes further potassium efflux, contributing to the stability of the resting membrane potential.So the correct option is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
The maintenance of the resting membrane potential involves the active transport of ions, primarily potassium ions (K+). The sodium-potassium pump, a crucial membrane protein, expels three sodium ions from the cell in exchange for two potassium ions pumped into the cell. This process establishes a higher concentration of potassium inside the cell and contributes to the negative resting membrane potential.
ATP provides the energy required for the sodium-potassium pump to function, ensuring the proper balance of ions across the cell membrane. While sodium ions (Na+) play a role in depolarization during action potentials, and carbon dioxide (CO2) participates in cellular processes, neither is the primary ion involved in maintaining the resting membrane potential, which is predominantly governed by the potassium gradient. So the correct option is C.