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Advan. Physiol. Edu. 269: 37S-41S, 1995;
1043-4046/95 $5.00
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Advances in Physiology Education, Vol 269, Issue 6 37-S41, Copyright © 1995 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Resting membrane potentials: a student test of alternate hypotheses

C. L. Thurman
Department of Biology, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls 50614-0421, USA.

The frog sartorius muscle is a model tissue for demonstrating to physiology students the principles underlying both membrane phenomena and hypothesis testing. Myocytes can be impaled with conventional glass microelectrodes to measure membrane voltage (Vm). Further, Vm is observed as extracellular K+ is altered and a K+ channel blocker is added. After the experiment, students examine the underlying assumptions of the Nernst equilibrium and the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation. They ultimately determine which of the two algorithms best predicts the measured Vm. In addition, students learn micromanipulation and impalement techniques. This experiment facilitates the student's understanding of membrane permeability, ionic gradients, and membrane voltage.




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