Textbook Question
Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.
The concentration of Na+ is highest in the cytosol, and the concentration of K+ is highest in the extracellular fluid.
Ch. 11 Introduction to the Nervous System and Nervous Tissue
Amerman3rd EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780138247201, 9780138247928, 9780138201814
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology24
- Ch. 2 The Chemistry of Life37
- Ch. 3 The Cell54
- Ch. 4 Histology46
- Ch. 5 The Integumentary System30
- Ch. 6 Bones and Bone Tissue36
- Ch. 7 The Skeletal System40
- Ch. 8 Articulations19
- Ch. 9 The Muscular System35
- Ch. 10 Muscle Tissue and Physiology29
- Ch. 11 Introduction to the Nervous System and Nervous Tissue28
- Ch. 12 The Central Nervous System41
- Ch. 13 The Peripheral Nervous System41
- Ch. 14 The Autonomic Nervous System and Homeostasis31
- Ch. 15 The Special Senses39
- Ch. 16 The Endocrine System42
- Ch. 17 The Cardiovascular System I: The Heart28
- Ch. 18 The Cardiovascular System II: The Blood Vessels43
- Ch. 19 Blood32
- Ch. 20 The Lymphatic System and Immunity41
- Ch. 21 The Respiratory System27
- Ch. 22 The Digestive System27
- Ch. 23 Metabolism and Nutrition7
- Ch. 24 The Urinary System39
- Ch. 25 Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Homeostasis39
- Ch. 26 The Reproductive System10
- Ch. 27 Development and Heredity5
Amerman3rd EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780138247201, 9780138247928, 9780138201814Not the one you use?Change textbook
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Amerman 3rd EditionCh. 11 Introduction to the Nervous System and Nervous TissueProblem 6c
Amerman 3rd EditionCh. 11 Introduction to the Nervous System and Nervous TissueProblem 6cChapter 11, Problem 6c
Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.
The Na+/K+ pumps and gated channels maintain the Na+ and K+ gradients necessary for action potentials to occur.
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Analyze the statement: 'The Na+/K+ pumps and gated channels maintain the Na+ and K+ gradients necessary for action potentials to occur.' Break it into two components: (1) the role of Na+/K+ pumps and (2) the role of gated channels in maintaining ion gradients.
Understand the function of the Na+/K+ pump: This pump actively transports 3 Na+ ions out of the cell and 2 K+ ions into the cell against their concentration gradients using ATP. This establishes and maintains the resting membrane potential and the ion gradients necessary for action potentials.
Understand the role of gated channels: Gated channels (e.g., voltage-gated Na+ and K+ channels) do not maintain ion gradients but instead allow the movement of ions down their concentration gradients during an action potential. This movement temporarily disrupts the resting potential but does not establish or maintain the gradients.
Evaluate the statement: The Na+/K+ pump is responsible for maintaining the Na+ and K+ gradients, while gated channels facilitate ion movement during action potentials. Therefore, the statement is partially true but needs correction regarding the role of gated channels.
Correct the statement: 'The Na+/K+ pumps maintain the Na+ and K+ gradients necessary for action potentials to occur, while gated channels allow the movement of these ions during the action potential.'
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Na+/K+ Pump
The Na+/K+ pump is a vital membrane protein that actively transports sodium (Na+) out of the cell and potassium (K+) into the cell, using ATP for energy. This process is essential for maintaining the electrochemical gradients of these ions across the cell membrane, which are crucial for various cellular functions, including the generation of action potentials in neurons.
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Primary Active Transport: Na+/K+ Pump
Gated Channels
Gated channels are specialized protein structures in the cell membrane that open or close in response to specific stimuli, allowing ions to flow in or out of the cell. These channels play a critical role in the initiation and propagation of action potentials by permitting the rapid influx of Na+ and the efflux of K+ during the depolarization and repolarization phases of the action potential.
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Action Potential
An action potential is a rapid, temporary change in the membrane potential of a neuron, which occurs when the membrane depolarizes and then repolarizes. This electrical signal is essential for neuronal communication and is triggered by the opening of voltage-gated Na+ and K+ channels, leading to the propagation of the signal along the axon.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
The ________ is the period of time during which it is impossible to stimulate a neuron to have an action potential, whereas the ________ is the period of time during which a larger-than-normal stimulus is required to elicit an action potential.
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Textbook Question
Describe the three components of the neuromuscular junction.
Textbook Question
Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.
A depolarization is a change in membrane potential that makes the potential less negative.
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Textbook Question
Albert accidentally ingests the poison tetrodotoxin from the pufferfish, which you know blocks voltage-gated Na+ channels. Predict the symptoms Albert will experience from this poisoning.
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Textbook Question
Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.
The resting membrane potential refers to the voltage difference across the membranes of excitable cells at rest.
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