Question

3. The ion, chloride (Cl-) is more concentrated on the outside (110 mM) than the inside of the cell (15 mM). Do you expect the overall electrochemical gradient for chloride to be as large as the Na+ electrochemical gradient? Explain why or why not (hint, think about what makes up the electrochemical gradient).

Answer 1

There are two cations ( +ve charge ions) NA+ & K+

and two anions ( - ve charge ions) Cl- & organic ions.

Difference between the ion concentration in opposite cell membranes creates a potential called MEMBRANE POTENTIAL. Typical value of membrane potential are range - 40mv to - 70mv.

Many of the ion have the concentration gradient & across the membranes, such as K+ which at high conc. Inside & low outside.

Na+ & Cl- ions are high conc. In EXTRACELLULAR REGIONS & low conc. INTRACELLULAR REGION.

This conc. give potential energy to form the membranes potential.

In most of the cell such as neuron, K+ & organic anions are at low conc. Inside the cell than the outside.

In contrast Na+ & cl- are usually higher conc. Outside the cell.

This means these are stable conc. Gradient across the membrane for all of most abaudent type of cell.

Inside cell--->

K+ ORGANIC ANION cl- Na+

Cl- Na+ k+ - - - - - - > outside cell

Bold letters = high conc.

Normal letters = low conc.