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Name:_________________________________________ Quiz #3. BIOM580A5. Spring 2014. Colorado State University Short answer questions. Please type your answer in available spaces. Try and do these in 3-5 minutes or so per question and BE CONCISE (2-5 lines should be sufficient for these questions)

1. In words, describe the similarity and difference between the cord conductance equation and the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation for calculating membrane potential. (2 points) Answer: Similarity - Both equations are used to calculate the resting membrane potential (Em). Difference GHK equation relates Em to concentration-weighted permeabilities of ions across membrane, while chord conductance equation relates Em to conductance-weighted average of the equilibrium potentials for the ions. 2. Describe 3 potential mechanisms by which myelination increases conduction velocity of action potentials down an axon. (3 points) Answer: Reduced membrane capacitance, increased membrane resistance (through membrane), reduced axon resistance (in direction of current flow in axon). 3. Briefly describe how myosin-actin interactions contribute to the characteristic shape of the length-tension curve of skeletal muscle. (3 points) Answer: At maximal force, there is maximal overlap between actin and myosin for contraction. At increased muscle lengths, overlap decreases and eventually there is no overlap causing sharp reduction in force. At reduced muscle lengths, myosin runs in Z-disk and deforms, causing sharp reduction in muscle force. 4. What do we mean when we say action potential is all-or-none? (2 points) Answer: Occurs only when membrane potential is depolarized to certain threshold, not before. Magnitude of stimulus beyond threshold affects latency period but not magnitude of action potential response. Cannot initiate another action potential during absolute refractory period. 5. Describe 3 ways in which smooth muscle cells are different from skeletal muscle cells in structure and/or functions. (3 points) Answer: Shape (spindle shape for smooth muscles vs. long fiber-like cells for skeletal muscles), organization of actin and myosin (network in smooth muscle cells versus striations/regular spacing in skeletal muscles), function (smooth muscle lines the walls of hollow organs vs. skeletal muscle connects to skeleton), neuromuscular junction (no specific junction in smooth muscle cells neurotransmitters just diffuse to smooth muscle cells, distinct junction in skeletal muscles), innervation (some smooth muscle cells dont get innervation, skeletal muscles are controlled by motor neurons) 6. Lets assume the membrane potential is -150 mV and the equilibrium potential of K+ is 97.7 mV. The concentration of K+ is higher inside the cell initially as compared to outside the cell. Which way will K+ flow (inside or outside cell)? Is that a positive current or negative current based on convention we set? (2 points) Answer: Inside the cell (since there is a larger negative attractive force inside the cell than the equilibrium potential needs). This is a negative current since we defined current flow as flow of positive charges and flow outside the cell as positive current (or inside the cell as negative current).