Injury potential

Injury Potential

The Injury Potential, also known as Resting Potential, is a form of electrical potential that exists across the plasma membrane of non-excitable cells and excitable cells in their resting state. The injury potential plays a crucial role in the functioning of neurons and muscle cells, and any disruption can lead to various neurological disorders and muscle disorders.

Overview

The injury potential is a difference in electrical potential across the cell membrane when the cell is in a non-excited state. This potential difference is primarily due to the differential distribution of ions, such as sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl-), and bicarbonate (HCO3-), across the cell membrane. The cell membrane is selectively permeable, allowing some ions to pass through more easily than others, which contributes to the establishment of the injury potential.

Role in Cell Function

The injury potential is essential for the normal functioning of cells, particularly neurons and muscle cells. It allows these cells to generate action potentials, which are rapid, temporary changes in the membrane potential that propagate along the nerve or muscle fiber. Action potentials are the basis for nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction.

Disruption of Injury Potential

Disruption of the injury potential can lead to various health problems. For example, in hyperkalemia, the high concentration of potassium ions in the blood can decrease the injury potential, leading to muscle weakness or paralysis, and potentially life-threatening changes in heart rhythm. Similarly, in hyponatremia, the low concentration of sodium ions can increase the injury potential, leading to neurological symptoms such as headache, confusion, seizures, and even coma.

See Also

• Membrane potential
• Action potential
• Hyperkalemia
• Hyponatremia

References

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