Question

Identify the INCORRECT statement about the neuronal membrane of nerve fibers in human.

• A. The fluid outside the membrane has more Na\({}^{+}\) than K\({}^{+}\) and also Cl\({}^{-}\) ions.
• B. The intracellular fluid inside the membrane has more K\({}^{+}\) and also proteins.
• C. In a polarized state, a resting nerve membrane has negative charge towards the outside and positive charge towards the inside.
• D. The membrane has leakage channels and also voltage gated channels for Na\({}^{+}\) and K\({}^{+}\).

Hint:

At rest the outside of the nerve membrane is positive and the inside is negative.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept
The axon membrane at rest has more sodium and chloride outside and more potassium and negatively charged proteins inside.

Step 2: Check the first two statements
The fluid outside has more \(\text{Na}^{+}\) than \(\text{K}^{+}\) and also \(\text{Cl}^{-}\). The fluid inside has more \(\text{K}^{+}\) and proteins. Both are correct.

Step 3: Check the channel statement
The membrane has leakage channels as well as voltage-gated channels for \(\text{Na}^{+}\) and \(\text{K}^{+}\), which is correct.

Step 4: Polarity
In the resting polarised state the outer surface is positive and the inner surface is negative. The third statement reverses this, so it is incorrect.

Final Answer:
The statement that the resting membrane is negative outside and positive inside is incorrect. \[ \boxed{\text{(C) }\text{In a polarized state, a resting nerve membrane has negative charge towards the outside and positive charge towards the inside.}} \]