Question

During resting potential, the axonal membrane is polarised, indicate the movement of +ve and –ve ions leading to polarisation diagrammatically.

Answer 1

Neurons are excitable cells because their membranes are in a polarised state. Different types of ion channels are present on the neural membrane. These ion channels are selectively permeable to different ions. When a neuron is not conducting any impulse, i.e., resting, the axonal membrane is comparatively more permeable to potassium ions (K⁺) and nearly impermeable to sodium ions (Na⁺). Similarly, the membrane is impermeable to negatively charged proteins present in the axoplasm. Consequently, the axoplasm inside the axon contains a high concentration of K⁺ and negatively charged proteins and a low concentration of Na⁺. In contrast, the fluid outside the axon contains a “low concentration of K⁺, a high concentration of Na⁺ and thus forms a concentration gradient. These ionic gradients across the resting membrane are maintained by the active transport of ions by the sodium-potassium pump which transports 3 Na⁺ outwards for 2 K⁺ into the cell. As a result, the outer surface of the axonal membrane possesses a positive charge while its inner surface becomes negatively charged and therefore is polarised. The electrical potential difference across the resting plasma membrane is called the resting potential.

Diagrammatic representation of impulse conduction through an axon (at points A and B)