Question

Potential Difference Across Axon Membrane The axoplasm of an axon has a resistance Rax. The axon's membrane has both a resistance (Rmem) and a capacitance (Cmem). A single segment of an axon can be modeled by a circuit with Rmem and Cmem in parallel with each other and in series with an open switch, a battery, and Rax. Imagine the voltage of the battery is ΔV. Part A We can model the firing of an action potential by the closing of the switch, which completes the circuit. Immediately after the switch closes, what is the potential difference across the membrane of this single segment?

Answer 1

the potential difference across the membrane of this single segment is zero.

ΔVmem=0

Step-by-step explanation:

When the switch is closed, the capacitor (
`C_(mem)\\`) will be short. It means the current will not flow through the resistor(
`R_{mem`). Rather current will only flow through the capacitor as there is no resistance. Due to zero resistance, the voltage across the capacitor will also be zero. So, the potential difference across the membrane of this single segment is zero.

ΔVmem=0

Answer 2

check the diagram in the attachment below.

After the switch closes, the voltage across the membrane will be zero. It is so due to the fact that the capacitor will be short circuited.

Step-by-step explanation:

question

Potential Difference Across Axon Membrane The axoplasm of an axon has a resistance Rax. The axon's membrane has both a resistance (Rmem) and a capacitance (Cmem). A single segment of an axon can be modeled by a circuit with Rmem and Cmem in parallel with each other and in series with an open switch, a battery, and Rax. Imagine the voltage of the battery is ΔV. Part A We can model the firing of an action potential by the closing of the switch, which completes the circuit. Immediately after the switch closes, what is the potential difference across the membrane of this single segment?

ANSWER;

After the switch closes, the voltage across the membrane will be zero. It is so due to the fact that the capacitor will be short circuited.