In order to understand how currents move during an axon potential Hodgkin and Huxley used the voltage clamp technique. Why was this technique so important? Choose all that apply.
A) It allowed the investigators to measure ions moving across single channels.
B) It prevented the change in membrane potential associated with ions flowing across the membrane.
C) It allowed them to calculate the conductance of the individual ions.
D) It showed that currents vary with voltage and time.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

AND D.
 Ion movement across single channels was not measured until patch clamp methods were used. Voltage clamp allowed Hodgkin and Huxley to hold the voltage across the membrane constant by adding current that was equal and opposite of the current flowing across the membrane. Hodgkin and Huxley found that currents vary with voltage and with time. From measuring the currents Hodgkin and Huxley were able to calculate the membrane conductance.

In Order to Understand How Currents Move During an Axon