Form and Function

I'm totally embarrassed that only today did I have what Oprah would call an "aha moment" about the Na⁺/K⁺ pump as it relates to a cell's resting membrane potential. I've been going along with the nagging question, "If the pump is moving two postively charged ions, how does this result in a negatively charged cell?". Well today I have the answer (thank you Figure 11.8). More K⁺ than Na⁺ passes through leakage channels, down the gradient created by the pump, thus creating a net negative charge!

Moments like this make me wonder to what extent my educational history could be summed up as, "Memorize stuff. Comprehension is optional." Maybe I should have a shirt made.