Question

What role (if any) does temperature play in the Nernst equation? Explain how this relates to your findings. What properties of the ion channels may change with temperature?

Answer 1

For each ion the equilibrium(E) potential is the membrane potential where net flow through any open channels is 0

E_{​​​​​​rev} can be calculated using the nernest equation

E_{​​​​​​ion =}​ RT/_zF ln [ion]_out/[ion]_inside

Changes in temperature effects the amplitude of action potential measures as voltage difference between the threshold and the peak, and their duration measured as width of action potential at threshold. As the temperature is increased , the amplitude of action potential is decreased and its duration is reduced. This parameter may influence the functioning of neuron through the temperature dependence of ion channel conductance and time constants of channel activation/inactivation factors. Alterations in temperature effects the rates of diffusion through ion channels and rate of their conformation changes that leads to their activation and inactivation and the rate of biochemical reactions with which ion channels are modulated and transported into and out of the membrane.

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