Passive Membranes Answer 1

• If the charges are equal on both sides of the membrane, there is no net electrical gradient.
• Furthermore, the concentrations of potassium ions are identical, so there is no concentration gradient.
• Thus, the probability of potassium ions leaving the cell is equal to the probability that they will enter the cell.
• This implies that there may be small fluxes of potassium ions going into and out of the cell, but they will be balanced in both directions.