GHK eq. and HH eq. for a real system is mathematically associable to each other but their physiological
Hirohisa Tamagawa1, Titus Mulembo1, Vera Maura Fernandes de Lima2
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Gifu University, 1-1, Yanagido, Gifu, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan.
Abstract:
Despite the long and broad acceptance of the Goldman - Hodgkin - Katz equation (GHK eq.) and the Hodgkin - Huxley equation (HH eq.) as strong tools for the quantitative analysis of the membrane potential behavior, for a long time they have been utilized as separate concepts. That is the GHK eq. and the HH eq. have not been associated with each other mathematically. In this paper, an attempt to associate these equations to each other mathematically was demonstrated and was successful by viewing the system in question as a thermodynamically real system rather than an ideal system. For achieving that, two fundamental physical chemistry concepts, the mass action law, and the Boltzmann distribution were employed. Hence, this paper's achievement is completely within the framework of common thermodynamics. Through this work, the origin of the membrane potential generation attributed to the ion adsorption-desorption process and governed by the mass action law and the Boltzmann distribution is expressed to be plausible, whereas the existing membrane potential generation mechanism states that membrane potential is generated by transmembrane ion transport. As at this moment, this work does not intend to deny the transmembrane ion transport as a membrane potential generation mechanism but urges the readers to reconsider its validity, since this work suggests that the ion adsorption-desorption mechanism is as plausible as the transmembrane ion transport mechanism as a cause of membrane potential generation.
Related Concept Videos
Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation
The Equilibrium Constant
Relative Strengths of Conjugate Acid-Base Pairs
Hess's Law
Homogeneous Equilibria for Gaseous Reactions
For gas-phase reactions, the equilibrium constant may be expressed in terms of either the molar concentrations (Kc) or partial pressures (Kp) of the reactants and products. A relation between these two K values may be simply derived from the ideal gas equation and the definition of molarity. According to the ideal gas equation:
The Small x Assumption


