Which of the following statements is true about leak channels and their relationship to the membrane potential?

a) Leak channels open in response to a specific stimulus.

b) Leak channels are voltage-gated channels.

c) Leak channels contribute to the resting membrane potential.

d) Leak channels regulate the flow of ions during action potentials.

c) Leak channels are always open and crucial for establishing the resting membrane potential of neurons, unlike voltage-gated channels that open at specific membrane potentials or ligand-gated channels that require specific chemicals to open.

Explanation:

The correct statement about leak channels and their relationship to the membrane potential is: c) Leak channels contribute to the resting membrane potential.

Leak channels are types of ion channels that are always open and allow ions to move in and out of the cell according to their concentration gradients. The continuous passive flow of mainly potassium ions (K+) through these channels plays a crucial role in establishing and maintaining the resting membrane potential. Unlike voltage-gated channels that open in response to changes in membrane potential or ligand-gated channels that open due to the binding of a chemical signal, leak channels do not need a specific stimulus to be open and are not involved primarily in the generation or regulation of action potentials.