Calculating intracellular Na+ from membrane potential using Nernst equation

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
1 reply · 4K views
higherme
Messages
126
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



a biological cell is immersed in a 50mM solution of NaCl at 37C. the cell's membrane is permeable only to Na+ ions. When the system reaches equilibrium, a potential diff of 54.9mV is measured between the inside and the outside of the cell where the inside has the higher( more positive potential.

Calculate [Na+] inside the cell, assuming the amount of Na+ ions transferred is negligible compared to the total amoiunt of Na+ ions in the solution.

Can anyone tell me where to start?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Do you know what a concentration cell is?