1. Lecture 1 –Membrane Potentials: Ion Movement - Forces and Measurement
Ion Channels
Lecture 1 –Membrane Potentials:
Ion Movement - Forces and Measurement

2. The relative permeability of a lipid bilayer to different classes of molecules
Alberts et al.

3. Membrane Transport Proteins
Figure 15.3 – Lodish et al., Molecular Cell Biology, 4th edition

4. The distribution of unbalanced charges at the membrane boundary accounts for the membrane potential
V = Q / C
C =  A / 4  d

6. Distribution of Ions and the Resting Potential
Na+ = 145 mM
Na+ = 15 mM
K+ = 5 mM
K+ = 145 mM
Depolarization
Plateau
Repolarization
Cl- = 125 mM
Cl- = 10 mM
In the normal myocyte, depolarization results from inward sodium current.
The plateau phase results from a balance of inward calcium current and outward potassium current,
and finally, repolarization results from unopposed outward potassium current.
Ca++ = 2 mM
Ca++ = mM

7. Understanding the Nernst potential
EK is the Nernst potential for K ions. It is often called the equilibrium potential for K.
Equilibrium means there is no net movement of K ions across the membrane. This occurs when there is no energy difference between inside and outside.
Two kinds of energy are important: chemical and electrical Chemical energy = o+RTlnC per mole of ion Electrical energy = zFV per mole of ion
where F is the Faraday constant 96,500 coulombs/mole or 23,602 cal mol-1V-1

8. Understanding the Nernst potential (2)
At equilibrium, the total energy (chemical + electrical) is the same on both sides of the membrane. In other words, the chemical energy difference across the membrane is counterbalanced by an equal and opposite electrical energy difference.
Consider a membrane, set up with concentrated KCl on the left and dilute KCl on the right. Now let the membrane suddenly become permeable to K ions. A tiny amount of K leaves the concentrated side and enters the dilute side. This leads to charge separation, and a voltage difference across the membrane.

9. Equlibrium potentials for major permeable ionic species
In myocytes:
ENa = 61 log (145/15) = + 60 mV
ECa = 30.5 log (2/.0001) = mV
ECl = -61 log (125/ 10) = - 67 mV
EK = 61 log (5/ 145) = mV

10. V = I R => I = V/R or I = g V (where g = 1/R)
Ohm’s Law
V = I R => I = V/R or I = g V (where g = 1/R)

11. The direction of ion movement
An example:
Chemical vs electrical force and Net force
Ohms law
Rule of thumb: Whenever Vm is more negative than Ex, the current is inward. Whenever Vm is more positive than Ex, the current is outward. At Ex the current is zero (i.e. equilibrium)
Whenever an ion channel opens and ions move down the electrochemical gradient, the membrane potential will move towards the equilibrium potential for that ion

12. Ion channel nomenclature (by gating stimulus)