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Related Concept Videos

Resting Membrane Potential01:24

Resting Membrane Potential

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The relative difference in electrical charge, or voltage, between the inside and the outside of a cell membrane, is called the membrane potential. It is generated by differences in permeability of the membrane to various ions and the concentrations of these ions across the membrane.
The Inside of a Neuron is More Negative
The membrane potential of a cell can be measured by inserting a microelectrode into a cell and comparing the charge to a reference electrode in the extracellular fluid. The...
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The resting membrane potential of a neuron (-70mV) is sustained due to the selective ion permeability of the membrane. At the resting potential, the membrane is slightly permeable to ions like sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−) and highly permeable to potassium ions (K+). Differences in the ions' concentration inside the cell compared to the outside are maintained by membrane transport proteins like channels and pumps.
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The interconnection between standard cell potentials and various thermodynamic parameters such as the standard free energy change ΔG° and equilibrium constant K has been previously explored. For example, a redox reaction involving zinc(II) and tin(II) ions at 1 M concentration with Eºcell = +0.291 V and ΔG° = −56.2 kJ is spontaneous.
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An electrochemical gradient is a fundamental concept in biology and chemistry. It regulates the movement of ions across cell membranes. This movement is influenced by two factors:
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Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

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Oxidative Phosphorylation Does Not Violate the Second Law of Thermodynamics.

The journal of physical chemistry. B·2024
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A New Theory about Interfacial Proton Diffusion Revisited: The Commonly Accepted Laws of Electrostatics and Diffusion Prevail.

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Correction to "H<sub>2</sub>O(aq) Does Not Exist: Critique of a Proof-of-Concept Derivation".

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Explaining neuronal membrane potentials: The Goldman equation vs. Lee's TELC hypothesis.

Todd P Silverstein1

  • 1Chemistry Department (emeritus), Willamette University, Salem, OR, USA.

Neuroscience
|January 4, 2025
PubMed
Summary

This study critically evaluates James Lee's Transmembrane Electrostatically-Localized Cations (TELC) hypothesis. Findings reveal significant weaknesses, contradicting TELC predictions and supporting the established Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz (GHK) equation.

Keywords:
Action potentialElectrophysiologyNeural transmembrane potentialNeuroscienceTELC membrane capacitorTransmembrane-electrostatically localized protons/cations

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Computational Neuroscience
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • The Hodgkin-Huxley model and Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz (GHK) equation are foundational in understanding neuron transmembrane potentials.
  • James Lee's Transmembrane Electrostatically-Localized Cations (TELC) hypothesis proposes an alternative model for neuron potentials.
  • Lee argues his TELC hypothesis surpasses existing models in accuracy and explanatory power.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically analyze the arguments presented in James Lee's recent papers on the TELC hypothesis.
  • To evaluate the scientific validity and empirical support for the TELC hypothesis.
  • To compare the TELC hypothesis with the established Hodgkin-Huxley theory and GHK equation.

Main Methods:

  • Critical examination of the theoretical arguments and logical structure of the TELC hypothesis.
  • Review and analysis of the scientific literature cited by Lee in support of his hypothesis.
  • Comparison of TELC predictions with existing experimental data and established biophysical models.

Main Results:

  • Identification of key weaknesses and logical fallacies in the arguments supporting the TELC hypothesis.
  • Discovery of published experimental measurements that directly contradict predictions made by the TELC hypothesis.
  • Evidence found strongly supports the continued validity and applicability of the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz (GHK) equation.

Conclusions:

  • The Transmembrane Electrostatically-Localized Cations (TELC) hypothesis lacks convincing empirical and theoretical support.
  • Existing literature and experimental data provide robust validation for the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz (GHK) equation.
  • The TELC hypothesis is not a superior model to established theories of neuron transmembrane potentials.