Answer to Question #149554 in Molecular Physics | Thermodynamics for Joanna Ayuba

Question

While mammals keep their body temperature close to the 37oC, some animals, such as crustaceans, are exposed to a much wider range of temperatures. For example, antarctic crustaceans live at a temperature of around 2oC. Assuming no other changes how might the Nerst potential for an ion change when warming from 2oC to 37oC?

Answer 1

$E_{ion} = \dfrac{RT}{zF}ln\dfrac{[X_{out}]}{[X_{in}]}$

where $E_{ion}$ = Nernst potential

and $T$ = Temperature

The equation above shows that the Nernst potential is directly proportional to the temperature. This means that as the Temperature increases, the Nernst potential increases amd as the Temperature decreases, the Nernst potential also decreases.

Therefore, the Nerst potential for an ion change when warming from 2°C to 37°C would increase.