Suppose a water-filled aquarium is divided into two compartments by a membrane that is impermeable to all ions. If KCL is added to one compartment, what will happen to the distribution of ions? Is there a potential difference between the two compartments? What will happen to the membrane potential if the membrane suddenly becomes selectively permeable to K+ (but not to Cl-)? What would happen if you then added Nal to one compartment only?
Since the membrane is impermeable, there is no difference in the distribution of ions in the two compartments. There will be no potential difference between the two compartmets. when it becomes selectively permeable to K+, then K+ ions will move into the other compartment untill the concentration of K+ ions in both the compartments are equal. since there are Cl- ion in the first compartment, there is an increased negative charge in there and presence of K+ in the other compartment makes it positive, which develops a potential difference across the membrane. If NaCl is added to one compartment which is impermeable, no difference in ionic distribution or potential is obeserved across the membrane.
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