Homework

15.3 b) The inside of the axon has a charge of –70mV compared with the outside.
c) By active transport using ATP to provide energy for sodium–potassium pumps in the
membrane of the axon. Both sodium and potassium ions are positively charged. Three
sodium ions are pumped out for every two potassium ions pumped in, so this builds up a
positive charge outside compared with inside. There are also many negatively charged
organic compounds inside the axon that contribute to the resting potential.
d) i) It is called depolarisation because the axon was polarised so that it had a negative
charge inside and a positive charge outside. Now this is altered and there is a negative
charge outside and a positive charge inside.
ii) Annotations for the rising phase of the action potential could be: Voltage-gated sodium ion
channels in the membrane open and allow sodium ions to diffuse in down their
electrochemical gradient. As they enter the axon, their positive charge causes the negative
charge inside the axon to be brought to zero and become more positive until it reaches
+30mV. There is a positive feedback at this time as depolarisation stimulates more and more
voltage-gated sodium ion channels to open.
e) Annotations could be: Between 1ms and 2ms, the axon is repolarised. The voltage-gated
sodium ion channels close (and cannot open). Voltagegated potassium ion channels open
and potassium ions diffuse out to restore the resting potential.
f) about 4ms