Question

Briefly explain the role of potassium (K+) leak channels in setting the resting membrane potential.

Answer 1

According to the scientific findings, it has been seen that movement of sodium ions and potassium ions across the membrane of a cell maintains the membrane potential. It has been seen that outwards movement of three sodium ions with consequent inwards movement of two potassium ions maintains the electrochemical gradient. However, by the end of one complete cycle of the nerve impulse transmission, the membrane potential is re-established to the baseline value i.e. nearly -75 mV. This takes place only because of re-establishment of the baseline levels of the potassium and sodium ions in the membrane owing to movement of potassium and sodium ions across the membrane via the leak-channels.

These leak channels operate only when the final re-establishment of the membrane potential is required to be performed in the cells.