Why so many K+ channels?

[Michael Lebow]

Hello, 

    Does anyone out there in neuroscience land have an idea why there are
so many different types of voltage-gated potassium channels expressed in
the nervous system? I understand the advantage of having a few different
types(i.e. delayed rectifier, a-current...) but what is the functional
importance of dozens of different channels?  Any of your thoughts on the
subject would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks, Mike.