Question

Which ion most readily leaks across a neuron's membrane, helping to establish the resting potential? Which ion most readily leaks across a neuron's membrane, helping to establish the resting potential? Na+ Ca2+ Cl− K+ SubmitR

Answer 1

K+

Step-by-step explanation:

Leak channels are the gated channels that randomly open and close. The plasma membranes have many more potassium ion (K+) leak channels than the leak channels for other ions such as sodium ion. Also, the potassium ion leak channels are leakier than the sodium leak channels and allow exit of more and more K+ from the neurons. This makes the inside the neuron negative at rest and outside becomes more positive. In this way, the leakage of K+ across the K+ leak channels is mainly responsible for maintaining the resting potential.