If you wanted to cause a voltage-gated channel in a cell membrane to open, what might you use for a stimulus? A) A drug applied to the bathing medium B) An electrical current applied to the membrane C) Pressure on the membrane D) Increased concentration of Na⁺ in the extracellular fluid E) Increased concentration of K⁺ in the intracellular fluid

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Voltage-gated channels open in response to changes in the electrical potential across the cell membrane. Therefore, applying an electrical current to the membrane would be the best stimulus to cause the voltage-gated channel to open. A drug applied to the bathing medium may affect the channel, but it may also have other effects on the cell. Pressure on the membrane or changes in ion concentrations are not reliable stimuli for opening a voltage-gated channel.

If You Wanted to Cause a Voltage-Gated Channel in a Cell