Part 7 - Introduction

| Structure and Life Processes in Animals

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To benefit from this simulation, you should be familiar with the following concepts:
• Ions
• Diffusion
• Biological membranes

When you are finished with this simulation, you will be able to:
• Describe how a resting membrane potential is achieved.
• Predict the change in resting membrane potential that occurs in response to changes in extracellular K⁺ concentration.
• Predict the cell's ability to respond to stimulation when ion concentrations change.
• Predict the effect on the cell's ability to generate an action potential when the ion concentrations change.

How do changes in extracellular potassium ion concentrations affect nerve cells and their function?

You are a doctor treating a patient for kidney disease. The disease is causing abnormal levels of K⁺ in the patient's body, and the patient is beginning to experience muscle weakness, respiratory paralysis, and irregular heartbeats. You must quickly review how changes in extracellular K⁺ affect nerve cells to determine the appropriate treatment to save the patient's life.