A plethora of potassium channels
Here is a short video showing the molecular structure of a Potassium channel and how it can be perfectly selective to allow Potassium and not Sodium through.
And look at this beautiful top view of a potassium channel with a little purple potassium ion in the center.
Inward-Rectifying Potassium Channels
What does inward-rectifying mean? Simply put, it just means that voltage travels inward more easily than outward. So this name tells us that Potassium will move into a cell when open.
(Example - cardiac muscle cells- responsible for the long refractory period between beats, to avoid tetany; kidneys, regulating potassium ions
Action Potentials: Delayed Rectifier Potassium Channels & A Type Channels (outwardly rectifying)
Tandem Pore Domain Potassium Channels (Leak Channels)
Voltage Gated Potassium Channels
********This post under construction! I just found a textbook with an entire chapter on ion channels, so after I study for my test I will dive into this and finish the post... thank you for not hating me too much for leaving you hanging. You'll just have to subscribe to learn more! :)
Hey Julie, I went to school with you a couple of years ago. I was wondering if you happen to have the physiology of a nephron stashed somewhere? That'd be cool if you could post it somewhere for me. Thanks!
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