title: A model for understanding membrane potential using springs.
abstract: In this report, I present a simple model using springs to conceptualize the relationship between ionic conductances across a cellular membrane and their effect on membrane potential. The equation describing the relationships linking membrane potential, ionic equilibrium potential, and ionic conductance is of similar form to that describing the force generated by a spring as a function of its displacement. The spring analogy is especially useful in helping students to conceptualize the effects of multiple conductances on membrane potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. david_cardozo@hms.harvard.edu
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Cardozo
mesh_terms: D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology*; D032882:Comprehension; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D010827:Physiology / Q000193:education*
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels