Resting Membrane Potential

Resting Membrane Potential

1. Specific distribution of ions at rest make the inside of the neuron negative relative to the outside

2. Electrical potential: measure of stored power, or potential energy

   • Created by a difference in charge across a membrane
     • Created by an unequal distribution of ions

3. Actively maintained by channels, gates & pumps in plasma membrane to counter effects of diffusion and voltage gradients

   • Large, negatively charged A- anions remains inside cell
   • Ungated K+ channels allow K+ to move freely across membrane
   • K+ is kept out
   • Na+/K+ pumps bring K+ into cell from extracellular fluid
     • The pumps pass Na+ out of cell from intracellular fluid