*** Nernst Equation - <2017-11-20 mon>

We know the membrane has reached equilibrium when the diffusion gradient and electrostatic
gradient are equal and opposite

The nernst equation

E(ion) = (RT/zF) ln([ion]extracellular/[ion]intracellular)

There are three terms that can refer to the variable E -> nernst potential, reversal potential and
equilibrium potential

When we solve the Nernst equation for a given ion and its concentration inside and outside of
the cell, we are solving for the point at which the electrostatic force exactly balances out the
diffusional force.

Membrane potential -> general term used to indicate the electric potential across the
membrane
Resting potential -> Measured membrane potential of a cell at rest and not when it is actively
sending signal

For a neuron, the resting potential is close to the Nernst potential for potassium but the two
are not the same.
Resting potential involves flow of multiple ions and the work of active ion pumps.
Nernst potential is just a passive potential of a single ion

E(ion) = (RT/zF) ln([ion]extracellular/[ion]intracellular)

R - Universal Gas Constant

T - Absolute temperature (in Kelvin)
z - Valence of the ion
F - Faraday's constant
ln - Natural logarithm of
[ion]extracellular - the concentration of ion outside the cell (over)
[ion]intracellular - the concentration of ion inside the cell

Valence z
Sodium -> +1
Potassium -> +1
Chloride -> -1
Calcium -> +2
Chloride has a nernst potential very close to that of a resting potential of -70mV
A high Nernst potential means we have a strong driving force.
Driving force is a measure of how hard a given ion is getting pushed across the membrane.

Driving Force
E(driving force) = E(membrane) - E(ion)

Example
E(m) = -70mV // Resting potential of a neuron
Nernst Potential of Ca+2 (Calcium) = +123mV
Nernst Potential of K+1 (Potassium) = -80mV

E(driving force of Ca+2) = around 200mV

E(driving force of K+1) = 10mV

Because there is a potassium channel, K+ ions can diffuse to maintain its diffusion gradient.
However if a sodium channel is added to allow Na+ ions to travel across the sides, it would
quickly unravel the resting potential as both sodium and potassium ions would happily diffuse
and balance out.