10 . Which one of the following statements is NOT true about the resting potential?
A. The neuron's plasma membrane is much more permeable to potassium than to sodium.
B. The concentration of sodium is much higher inside the cell than outside.
C. The sodium-potassium pump plays a role in maintaining the resting potential.
D. Inside the cell, the concentration of potassium is much higher than the concentration of sodium.
E. All of these are true statements.
The sources I cited in your later post should be helpful. Thanks for asking.
The correct answer is B. The concentration of sodium is much higher inside the cell than outside.
To determine which statement is NOT true about the resting potential, let's go through each statement one by one:
A. "The neuron's plasma membrane is much more permeable to potassium than to sodium." This statement is true. The resting potential is primarily maintained by the movement of potassium ions (K+) across the membrane.
B. "The concentration of sodium is much higher inside the cell than outside." This statement is false. In reality, the concentration of sodium ions (Na+) is higher outside the cell than inside. The resting potential is generated by the unequal distribution of ions on both sides of the membrane.
C. "The sodium-potassium pump plays a role in maintaining the resting potential." This statement is true. The sodium-potassium pump actively transports ions against their concentration gradients, helping to establish and maintain the resting potential.
D. "Inside the cell, the concentration of potassium is much higher than the concentration of sodium." This statement is true. The concentration of potassium ions (K+) is higher inside the cell, while the concentration of sodium ions (Na+) is higher outside.
Now, let's analyze the statements:
Statement A is true.
Statement B is false.
Statement C is true.
Statement D is true.
Since Statement B is false, the answer is B. Thus, the statement "The concentration of sodium is much higher inside the cell than outside" is NOT true about the resting potential.