What is the Role of Chlorine in KCl Injection Mechanism?

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The discussion centers on the effects of potassium chloride injection on neuronal repolarization. Potassium ions (K+) increase extracellular potassium levels, which inhibits repolarization by preventing excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) from reaching the threshold necessary to trigger action potentials. The role of chloride ions (Cl-) is examined, with the understanding that they behave independently from potassium ions. While Cl- is negatively charged, it does not simply cancel out the effects of K+. Instead, Cl- interacts differently with membrane channels and pumps, influencing the overall membrane potential. The conversation also raises the possibility of Cl- forming a gas and diffusing away, but the primary focus remains on the distinct roles of K+ and Cl- in neuronal function.
habman_6
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Ok so I know with the injection of potassium chloride, the potassium in the extracellular fluid works to inhibit any repolarization, by increasing the amount of K in the extracellular fluid (hence not allowing EPSPs to reach threshold and trigger Na channels for an action potential), however, wouldn't the Chlorine have the opposite effect of the potassium since its negatively charged? Its a negatively charged ion, thus cancelling out the polarity that the K makes...?

Whats the role of chlorine?? UNLESS...it forms a gas and just diffuses out everywhere?
 
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The Cl- ion will behave differently and indepedently from the K+ ion with respect its interactions with channel and pump proteins in the membrane.
This leads to the different affects of the ions on membrane potential.
 

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