Subsections

• 2.1.1 Nernst potential
• 2.1.2 Reversal Potential
  • 2.1.2.1 Example: Reversal Potential for Potassium
  • 2.1.2.2 Example: Resting Potential

2.1 Equilibrium potential

Neurons are just as other cells enclosed by a membrane which separates the interior of the cell from the extracellular space. Inside the cell the concentration of ions is different from that in the surrounding liquid. The difference in concentration generates an electrical potential which plays an important role in neuronal dynamics. In this section, we want to provide some background information and give an intuitive explanation of the equilibrium potential.

2.1.1 Nernst potential

From the theory of thermodynamics, it is known that the probability that a molecule takes a state of energy E is proportional to the Boltzmann factor p(E) $\propto$ exp(- E/kT) where k is the Boltzmann constant and T the temperature. Let us consider positive ions with charge q in a static electrical field. Their energy at location x is E(x) = q u(x) where u(x) is the potential at x. The probability to find an ion in the region around x is therefore proportional to exp[- q u(x)/kT]. Since the number of ions is huge, we may interpret the probability as a ion density. For ions with positive charge q > 0, the ion density is therefore higher in regions with low potential u. Let us write n(x) for the ion density at point x. The relation between the density at point x₁ and point x₂ is

$${n(x_1) \over n(x_2)} \left[\vphantom{ - {q\,u(x_1) - q\,u(x_2) \over k\,T} }\right. {q\,u(x_1) - q\,u(x_2) \over k\,T} \left.\vphantom{ - {q\,u(x_1) - q\,u(x_2) \over k\,T} }\right]$$ (2.1)

A difference in the electrical potential $\Delta$u = u(x₁) - u(x₂) generates therefore a difference in ion density; cf. Fig. 2.1.

Figure 2.1: A. At thermal equilibrium, positive ions in an electric field will be distributed so that less ions are in a state of high energy and more at low energy. Thus a voltage difference generates a gradient in concentration. B. Similarly, a difference in ion concentration generates an electrical potential. The concentration n₂ inside the neuron is different from the concentration n₁ of the surround. The resulting potential is called the Nernst-potential. The solid line indicates the cell membrane. Ions can pass through the gap.

Since this is a statement about an equilibrium state, the reverse must also be true. A difference in ion density generates a difference $\Delta$u in the electrical potential. We consider two regions of ions with concentration n₁ and n₂, respectively. Solving (2.1) for $\Delta$u we find that, at equilibrium, the concentration difference generates a voltage

$$\Delta {k\, T\over q} {n_2 \over n_1}$$ (2.2)

which is called the Nernst potential (Hille, 1992).

2.1.2 Reversal Potential

The cell membrane consists of a thin bilayer of lipids and is a nearly perfect electrical insulator. Embedded in the cell membrane are, however, specific proteins which act as ion gates. A first type of gate are the ion pumps, a second one are ion channels. Ion pumps actively transport ions from one side to the other. As a result, ion concentrations in the intra-cellular liquid differ from that of the surround. For example, the sodium concentration inside the cell ($\approx$ 60mM/l) is lower than that in the extracellular liquid ($\approx$ 440 mM/l). On the other hand, the potassium concentration inside is higher ($\approx$ 400 mM/l) than in the surround ($\approx$ 20 mM/l).

Let us concentrate for the moment on sodium ions. At equilibrium the difference in concentration causes a Nernst potential E_Na of about +50 mV. That is, at equilibrium the interior of the cell has a positive potential with respect to the surround. The interior of the cell and the surrounding liquid are in contact through ion channels where Na⁺ ions can pass from one side of the membrane to the other. If the voltage difference $\Delta$u is smaller than the value of the Nernst potential E_Na, more Na⁺ ions flow into the cell so as to decrease the concentration difference. If the voltage is larger than the Nernst potential ions would flow out the cell. Thus the direction of the current is reversed when the voltage $\Delta$u passes E_Na. For this reason, E_Na is called the reversal potential.

2.1.2.1 Example: Reversal Potential for Potassium

As mentioned above, the ion concentration of potassium is higher inside the cell ($\approx$ 400 mM/l) than in the extracellular liquid ($\approx$ 20 mM/l). Potassium ions have a single positive charge q = 1.6×10^-19 C. Application of the Nernst equation with the Boltzmann constant k = 1.4×10^-23 J/K yields E_K $\approx$ - 77mV at room temperature. The reversal potential for K⁺ ions is therefore negative.

2.1.2.2 Example: Resting Potential

So far we have considered either sodium or potassium. In real cells, these and other ion types are simultaneously present and contribute to the voltage across the membrane. It is found experimentally that the resting potential of the membrane is about u_rest $\approx$ -65 mV. Since E_K < u_rest < E_Na, potassium ions will, at the resting potential, flow out of the cell while sodium ions flow into the cell. The active ion pumps balance this flow and transport just as many ions back as pass through the channels. The value of u_rest is determined by the dynamic equilibrium between the ion flow through the channels (permeability of the membrane) and active ion transport (efficiency of the ion pumps).