Question

If the potassium leak channels are blocked, what will happen to the membrane potential?

(a) The interior of the cell will become less negative
(b) The interior of the cell becomes less positive
(c) The exterior of the cell becomes less negative
(d) The exterior of the cell becomes less positive

Answer 1

(a) The interior of the cell will become less negative.

Step-by-step explanation:

The normal resting membrane potential is about -70 mV. This voltage is maintained by the potassium (K+) leak channels which allows leakage of potassium ions to the extracellular. The leakage counteracts the effects of the Na+K+ pump which increases the concentration of these positively charged ions intracellularly. Therefore the blockage of potassium leakage pumps will make the membrane potential less negative.