a voltage or electrical charge across the plasma membrane
The resting potential of a cell is the membrane potential when the cell is at rest, typically around -70 millivolts. Membrane potential refers to the difference in electrical charge across the cell membrane. Resting potential is a type of membrane potential that is maintained when the cell is not actively sending signals.
The Nernst potential refers to the reversal potential of the membrane potential at which there is no net flow of a particular number of ion from one side of the membrane to another.
Resting membrane potential is typically around -70mV and is maintained by the activity of ion channels that allow for the passive movement of ions across the cell membrane.
This electrical charge is called the resting membrane potential. It is generated by the unequal distribution of ions such as sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium inside and outside the cell. The resting membrane potential plays a crucial role in cell communication and proper functioning of the nervous system.
Equilibrium potential is referring to the equilibrium (or balance) established between the forces of diffusion and electrical forces specific to each ion. For example, the equilibrium potential for Potassium, K+, in a cell with a semi permeable membrane is -80mV or Ek+=80mV. The membrane potential, on the other hand, refers to the voltage across the membrane at anytime and takes into account a range of equilibrium potentials such as Potassium, Sodium etc.
A false statement about a cell's resting membrane potential could be that it does not involve the movement of ions across the cell membrane. In reality, the resting membrane potential is primarily due to the unequal distribution of ions, such as sodium and potassium, across the membrane, maintained by ion channels and pumps.
It can be an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) or an inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP), depending on the synapse. The EPSP depolarizes the membrane, while the IPSP hyperpolarizes it.
Active potential, often referred to as action potential, is a rapid change in the membrane potential of a neuron or muscle cell that occurs when the membrane becomes permeable to ions, primarily sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+). During the depolarization phase of the action potential, the membrane's permeability to Na+ increases, allowing these ions to flow into the cell, which causes a rapid rise in membrane potential. This is followed by repolarization, where the permeability to K+ increases, allowing K+ to exit the cell, restoring the membrane potential to its resting state. Thus, active potential is closely linked to the dynamic changes in ion permeability of the membrane.
The neuronal membrane also has ion channels for other ions besides potassium, such as sodium or chloride, that can influence the resting membrane potential. These other ions contribute to the overall equilibrium potential of the neuron, which affects its resting membrane potential. Additionally, the activity of Na+/K+ pumps helps establish and maintain the resting membrane potential, contributing to the slight difference from the potassium equilibrium potential.
A cell is more depolarized at it's threshold potential than it is at it's resting potential. This is important because a nervous system where a random excitatory post synaptic potential (epsp) would trigger the next neuron would lead to an overly excitable nervous system (btw, this is why caffeine makes you jittery).
depolarization
local potential