The inside of a cell is generally more positively charged compared to the outside

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The statement asserts that the inside of a cell is generally more positively charged compared to the outside. In reality, the resting membrane potential of most animal cells has the interior at a negative charge relative to the exterior, typically around -60 to -70 millivolts. This negative interior results from the differential distribution of ions across the plasma membrane, especially high intracellular concentrations of anions and potassium ions, along with a relatively high extracellular concentration of sodium ions. The activity of the Na+/K+ pump (which moves 3 Na+ out for every 2 K+ in) helps maintain this gradient, contributing to the negative resting potential inside. Therefore, the claim that the inside is more positive is incorrect.

Why the other way around is true: if the statement were true, it would imply the interior is more positively charged, which would invert the established resting membrane potential and disrupt a wide range of cellular processes, including action potential generation in nerve and muscle cells. In healthy cells, the outside is comparatively more positive due to the higher concentration of Na+ and other cations outside the membrane at rest. This mismatch with the question’s statement confirms why the answer is false.

In summary, the inside of a typical cell is not more positively charged than the outside; it is normally more negative, making the provided statement false.

2261 BIOSC 1500 SEC1030 Cell Bio 1500'25 first midterm, 75 min version

The inside of a cell is generally more positively charged compared to the outside

查看解析

登录即可查看完整答案

类似问题

For a neuron with an initial membrane potential at -70 mV, what would be the result of an increase in the movement of potassium ions out of that neuron's cytoplasm?

Refer to the following graph of an action potential to answer the question. Which Roman numeral in the graph indicates when the neuronal membrane is at its resting potential?

An increase in extracellular K+ concentration can lead to depolarization of the plasma membrane

The electrochemical gradient across a cell membrane typically favors the influx of sodium ions into the cell

You make a mutation in the Na+/K+ pump such that it now transports 3 K+ ions into the cell instead of two. What will be the consequence of this mutation?

A change in the axon membrane potential from -70 mV to -90 mV would be termed a(n) _____

The difference in electrical charge between the inside and the outside of the axon membrane is defined as the _______ potential.

更多留学生实用工具

考试浏览器助手

风格化写作助手

论文查重助手

文献引用助手

课堂转译助手

课堂笔记助手

Quiz搜索助手

学校历年真题

智能刷题助手

智能匹配练习

希望你的学习变得更简单