Resting Membrane Potential

Start with the resting potential

Begin with Resting Potential Note for an explanation of the charge difference between the inside and outside of a neuron. It describes the unequal distribution of charged ions, including sodium, chloride and calcium outside the cell and potassium inside it.

Then look at the Resting Membrane Potential mind map. It brings together permeability, concentration gradients, electrical gradients and ion channels. Use the map to organize the terms from the note and see how they relate to resting potential.

Practice with flashcards

A Review of the Properties of Neurons asks about cell membranes and what the generation of a membrane potential relies on. Use it after the note to check whether you can explain the membrane's role in your own words.

The Neuro and sensory physiology flashcards ask what gives rise to the resting membrane potential and also include questions on graded and action potentials. The Lab 2 Excitable Cell Membranes deck includes prompts about voltage at rest and the locations of potassium and sodium.

Use a quiz and map together

The Week Two Medical Physiology: Membrane Potentials quiz includes a question about potential difference and the electrical gradient between the inside and outside of cells. Try it after working through the note and mind map. Return to the map when a question brings up a term you want to study again, then use the flashcards to practice explaining it.

Place the topic in its unit

Resting Membrane Potential is one section of Membrane Potentials, Action Potentials and Synaptic Transmission in Physiology. The resources on this page let you study resting potential alongside material on membrane and action potentials. Choose a resource and follow the terms across the formats that suit your study.