Resting potential

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Resting Potential

Resting potential (pronunciation: /ˈrɛstɪŋ pəˈtɛnʃəl/) is a fundamental concept in the field of neuroscience and cell biology.

Etymology

The term "resting potential" is derived from the state of a neuron when it is not actively firing, or "at rest". The word "potential" refers to the potential difference in charge across the cell membrane.

Definition

Resting potential is the electrical potential of a neuron or other excitable cell relative to its surroundings when not stimulated or involved in passage of an action potential. It is typically around -70 millivolts (mV) in neurons.

Mechanism

The resting potential is primarily determined by the concentrations of the ions in and out of the cell and the ion transport proteins that are in the cell's membrane. These include sodium-potassium pumps and ion channels for potassium and sodium ions.

Related Terms

  • Action potential: The change in electrical potential associated with the passage of an impulse along the membrane of a muscle cell or nerve cell.
  • Membrane potential: The difference in electric potential between the interior and the exterior of a biological cell.
  • Hyperpolarization: A change in a cell's membrane potential that makes it more negative, often caused by the influx of negatively charged ions into the cell or the efflux of positively charged ions.
  • Depolarization: A decrease in the difference in voltage between the inside and outside of a cell, often caused by the influx of positively charged ions into the cell.

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