RESTING MEMBRANE POTENTIAL

By
Dr. Ayisha Qureshi
Professor & HoD,
Department of Physiology
 OBJECTIVES
By the end of this lecture, you should be able to:
• Define Nernst potential.
• Use the Nernst equation to calculate the values of Nernst
potential for Na, K & Cl.
• Define Resting Membrane Potential.
• Give the physiological basis of Resting membrane
potential.
• Use the Nernst equation and Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz
equation to calculate the RMP.
• Explain the contribution of Sodium-Potassium Pump to
the RMP.
 Points to Note:
1. Opposite charges (– and +) are attracted to
each other, but two charges of the same type
(– and –, or + and +) repel each other.

2. A concentration gradient can exist for

molecules/ particles and ions.

3. A CHEMICAL gradient can exist in the

presence of an ELECTRICAL gradient.
SEMIPERMEABLE MEMBRANE
 If the membrane is impermeable or semi-
permeable,
how do we make it selectively permeable to a
specific ion?

By introducing channels or
carrier proteins.
 THE ROLE OF CHANNELS

The ion channels can be of 2 main types:

1. Leak channels:
Include ion channels specific for Na+, K+, Cl-
etc. As long as the size of the ion is
appropriate, the ion will pass through.

2. Gated channels:
The gates are part of the protein channel and
can open or close in response to certain stimuli.
E.g.
- Mechanically Gated Channels
- Ligand Gated Channels
- Voltage Gated Channels
MEMBRANE POTENTIAL
Measuring the Resting Membrane Potential
Separation of Charges is called Membrane Potential
 MEMBRANE POTENTIAL
DEFINITION:

• It is the separation of charges across the

membrane.
OR
• It is the difference in the relative number of
cations & anions in the ICF & ECF.
PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS OF RESTING
MEMBRANE POTENTIAL IN A NERVE
FIBRE:
 RESTING MEMBRANE POTENTIAL
DEFINITION:
The constant membrane potential present in all living cells when
they are at rest (i.e. when they are not producing any
electrical signals) is called their Resting membrane potential.

All living cells show resting membrane potential which results

from the uneven distribution of ions across the cell
membranes.
2 Factors influence the Membrane Potential:
1. Concentration gradients of various ions across the cell
membrane.
2. Membrane Permeability to those ions.
We know that the Resting Membrane Potential
of human nerve cell membrane is —90 mv.

What is the Physiological Basis of this RMP &

how is it calculated??
Resting Membrane Potential in Neurons
There is a great difference in
the chemical composition of
nerve cell interior(ICF) &
exterior (ECF).

ECF : ICF
Na+:- 150 : 15
K+:- 5 : 150

The nerve cell interior (ICF) is rich

in potassium ions (K) and
negatively charged proteins
while the ECF is rich in Sodium &
Chloride ions.
These potential differences between the different ions
across the ECF and ICF is maintained by the Na-K PUMP.
Various ions try to diffuse from one side of the membrane to the
other depending upon their electrochemical gradients:
The Resting Membrane Potential is mostly due
to Potassium Ions

The neuron plasma

membrane at rest is 25-
30 times more
permeable to K ions than
to the Na ions!!!!

This is through the help of the

Potassium leak channels....
 So, Now:

Electrical gradient Chemical gradient

for K+ for K+

This is the membrane potential at which the electrical

gradient exactly opposes the concentration or chemical
gradient and it is called the Equilibrium potential or the
Nernst Potential for Potassium.

Using the Nernst equation, when the Nernst potential for

Potassium is calculated, it is -94 mv.
NERNST EQUILIBRIUM/ EUILIBRIUM POTENTIAL

“The membrane potential at which the

electrical gradient exactly opposes the
concentration or chemical gradient is called
the Equilibrium potential.”

It is calculated by the Nernst equation.

At this potential, the net movement of that
particular ion STOPS.
 NERNST EQUATION
The Nernst equation can be used to calculate
the Nernst potential for any univalent ion at
normal body temperature:

EMF= ±61 log Conc. Inside

Conc. Outside
 Nernst Potential for Different Ions
Using the Nernst equation, the Nernst Potential
for different ions can be calculated.
• Na: + 66mv

• K: — 94mv

• Cl: — 90mv
 CALCULATING THE RMP:
• The RMP can be calculated using one of the 2
equations:

1. NERNST EQUATION
2. GOLDMAN’S OR GOLDMANN-HODGKIN-KATZ
EQUATION

Point to Remember:
The greater the permeability of the plasma membrane for
a given ion, the greater is the tendency for that ion to
drive the membrane potential toward the ion’s own
equilibrium potential.
 Calculating the RMP by the Nernst Potential:
• Potassium ions:
Nernst Potential for K+= —94mv
• Sodium ions:
A very small number of Sodium ions move to the inside of the nerve
cell despite a low permeability of the membrane to the Sodium ions.
This is because of the small no. of Sodium leak channels present. They
make a contribution of a small amount of electro positivity to the cell
interior.
Its value is= +8mv
• Sodium-Potassium Pump: expels 3 Na+ in exchange for 2 K+.
It contributes= —4 mv

So the total Resting Membrane Potential of a nerve cell is:

RMP= —94 +8 —4 (mv)
= —90 mv
 Calculating the RMP by the
GOLDMAN-HODGKIN-KATZ equation:
Has 3 advantages:
1. It keeps in mind the concentration gradients of each
of the ions contributing to the RMP.
2. It keeps in mind the membrane permeability of all the
ions contributing to the RMP
3. It can thus be used to calculate the RMP when
multiple ions are involved rather than when only
single ions are involved.

4. EMF= 61.log CNai .PNa + Cki. Pk + Cclo.Pcl

CNao.PNa + Cko.Pk + Ccli.Pcl
= —90 mv
 What is the Physiological basis of the
Resting Membrane Potential?
PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS OF THE RMP:
-Calculation through the Nernst Equation and
Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation (Mushtaq:
chapter 2, NEURONS & SYNAPSES, page: 102-
108, 5th edition).
- Calculation through the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz
equation (Guyton: chapter 5, page: 62, 13th
edition)
 RMP
• POINT TO NOTE:

Resting Membrane Potential

is DETERMINED by the
POTASSIUM IONS and has a
value of ‒90 mv.