Richard,
Actually a number of different potassium channels have been identified.
Its likely that the leak channels will share a resemblance, since they
must also be selective for potassium over other ions. As far as I know the
actual molecular constituent has not yet been identified. As for all
channels not being gated, that is not true: there is a non-gated channel
called an "open rectifier" that is not.
Cheers
Dave
In article <_FpR3.2339$u3.128869 at typhoon1.rdc-detw.rr.com>, "Richard
Norman" <rsnorman at mediaone.net> wrote:
> Are the ion channels normally open at rest, and responsible for the "leak"
> currents as well as the resting potential, related to the gated channels
> responsible for action, synaptic, and receptor potentials?
>> I always thought not, arguing that all cells have a resting Na, K, and Cl
> permeability but usually not gated channels. Dendrites and axons alike have
> leaks, as do cells neurons that are not electrically excitable at all.
>> In looking deeper, I find references to the "fact" that "all ion channels
> are gated", with stable open and closed states. However, I cannot find any
> specific mention of the channel type that corresponds to the resting leak.
>> Do you have any references?
