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Ch. 11 Introduction to the Nervous System and Nervous Tissue
Amerman - Human Anatomy & Physiology 2nd Edition
Amerman2nd EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136873822Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksAmerman 2nd EditionCh. 11 Introduction to the Nervous System and Nervous TissueProblem 6c
Chapter 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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Action Potential
Related Practice
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.

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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.

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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.

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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