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Nernst Equation: BY Dr.S.Rajyalakshmi

The Nernst equation describes the forces acting on ions across cell membranes and can be used to calculate the equilibrium potential for each ion. The resting membrane potential of nerve cells is around -70mV and results from selective permeability of the cell membrane to ions like potassium, sodium, and chloride, creating concentration gradients. The actual membrane potential is determined by the integrated effects of various ions, as described by the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation. Disruptions to ion channel proteins can cause conditions like Long QT syndrome.

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Rohit Sreerama
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196 views

Nernst Equation: BY Dr.S.Rajyalakshmi

The Nernst equation describes the forces acting on ions across cell membranes and can be used to calculate the equilibrium potential for each ion. The resting membrane potential of nerve cells is around -70mV and results from selective permeability of the cell membrane to ions like potassium, sodium, and chloride, creating concentration gradients. The actual membrane potential is determined by the integrated effects of various ions, as described by the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation. Disruptions to ion channel proteins can cause conditions like Long QT syndrome.

Uploaded by

Rohit Sreerama
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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NERNST EQUATION

BY
DR.S.RAJYALAKSHMI
INTRODUCTION

• Electric potential difference existing across the cell membrane


of all living cells is called membrane potential, with the inside
of the cell being negative in relation to the outside.

• The magnitude of membrane potential varies from cell to cell


and in a particular cell according to its functional status. For
example, a nerve cell has a membrane potential of -70
mv at rest, but when it gets exited the membrane potential
becomes about +30mv.
• The membrane potential at rest is called resting potential.
RMP in nerve cell -70mv
in smooth muscle -50mv
RMP is basically due to
1) Unequal distribution of ions across the cell membrane
because of its selective permeability.
2) Due to combined effect of forces acting on ions.
Thus genesis of RMP is dependant on
1) Selective permeability of cell membrane,
2) Gibbs’- Donnan equilibrium,
3) Nernst equation,
4)Constant field Goldmann equation, and
5) Sodium potassium ATPase pump.
SELECTIVE PERMEABILITY OF CELL MEMBRANE

• The cell membrane is selectively permeable that is, it is freely


permeable to K+ and Cl- , moderately to Na+, and impermeable
to proteins & organic phosphate which are negatively charged
ions.

• Major intracellular cation is K+ and major intracellular anions


are proteins and organic phosphate. Major extracellular
cation is Na+ and anion is Cl-.

• Presence of gated protein channels in the cell membrane is


responsible for variable permeability of ions.
ION INSIDE CELL OUTSIDE CELL

Na+ 15 meq 150 meq

K+ 150 meq 5.5 meq

Cl- 9 meq 125 meq

A- present absent
NERNST EQUATION
• Walther H Nernst was a
German physical chemist,
received noble prize in chemistry 1920,
in recognition of his work in
thermo chemistry. His contribution to
chemical thermodynamics led to the
well known Nernst equation correlating
chemical energy and electric potential.
• The forces acting on the ions across the cell membrane produces
variations in the membrane potential. The magnitude of forces
acting across the cell membrane on each ion can be analyzed by
Nernst equation.

Concentration gradient :-
• The asymmetrical distribution of diffusible ions across the cell
membrane in the form of excess diffusible cation inside due to
Donnan effect results in concentration gradient.

Electrical gradient :-
• As a result of concentration gradient cation K+, will try to diffuse
back into ECF from ICF.
• But it is counter acted by electrical gradient which will be created
due to presence of non diffusible anions inside the cell.

• The membrane potential at which the electrical force is equal in


magnitude but opposite in direction to the concentration force is
called equilibrium potential for that ion. The magnitude of
equilibrium potential is determined by Nernst equation.
Em= -RT/ZF ln Cin/Cout

• At normal body temperature 37oc, substituting for the constants


(R, T & F) and converting to common logarithm, then
Em= -61.5 log Cin/Cout
• Forces on Cl-
• Forces on K+
• Forces on Na+
• Forces on Ca2+

Equilibrium potential (E) for important ions


in a neuron.
ECl- -70mV
EK+ -90mV
ENa+ +60mV
ECa2+ +130mV
GOLDMANN-HODGKIN-KATZ (GHK) EQUATION

• The Nernst equation helps in calculating the equilibrium


potential for each ion individually.
• However, the magnitude of membrane potential at any given
time depends on distribution and permeability of Na+, K+ and Cl-
ions.
• The integrated role of different ions in the generation of
membrane potential can be described accurately by the GHK
equation.
RT ln PK[K+]in + PNa[Na+]in +PCl[Cl-]out
F PK[K+]out + PNa[Na+]out +PCl[Cl-]in
Inferences of Goldmann constant field equation
1. Most important ions for development of membrane potentials
in nerve and muscle fibers are sodium, potassium and chloride.
The voltage of membrane potential is determined by the
concentration gradient of each of these ions.
2. Degree of each of the ions in determining the voltage depends
upon the membrane permeability of the individual ion.
3. Positive ion concentration from inside the membrane to outside
is responsible for electro negativity inside the membrane.
4. Signal transmission in the nerves is primarily due to change in
the sodium and potassium permeability because their channels
undergo rapid change during conduction of the nerve impulse
and not much change is seen in chloride channels.
APPLIED ASPECT
Long QT syndrome:
• Caused by electrolyte abnormalities, myocardial ischemia.
Mutation of genes causing reduced function of various K+
channels by alteration in their structure, by reducing the
amount of ankyrin isoform that links it to the cytoskeleton.
• QT interval is prolonged, cardiac repolarisation is irregular.
Increased ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death.
Pendred’s Syndrome:
• In which a mutant sulfate transport protein causing deafness
and goiter.
• Long QT syndrome in which one of the K+ channel KVLTQT1 is
mutated. In the stria vascularis, the normal form of protein is
essential for maintaining the high K+ concentration so the
deficiency leads to deafness.

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