Voltage-gated Ion Channels

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a) Sodium Channel

Change in membrane potential opens the channel – activation gates change to the open conformation and sodium can traverse the membrane
Channel becomes inactivated – Inactivation gate "plugs" the channel and sodium cannot travel through the membrane
Channel eventually resets back to closed conformation

b) Potassium channel

Change in membrane potential opens the channel – activation gates change to the open conformation and potassium can traverse the membrane
Channel eventually resets back to closed conformation