Resting Potential (Noun)
Meaning
The potential difference between the two sides of the membrane of a nerve cell when the cell is not conducting an impulse.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural phenomena.
Examples
- The resting potential of a neuron is the difference in electric potential between the inside and the outside of the cell when it is in a resting state.
- In nerve cells, the resting potential is a negative potential of about 70 millivolts, primarily due to the relatively high concentration of potassium ions.
- The resting potential is maintained by a balance of positive and negative ions on either side of the cell membrane.
- The resting potential of a neuron is created by the selective permeability of the cell membrane and the resulting movement of ions.
- All the internal parts of the cell remain at a resting potential, because the ion movements that produce an action potential are localized at the point where the action potential occurs.