Membrane potential refers to the difference in electric potential between the inside and the outside of a cell membrane. This difference in charge is critical for many biological processes, including the functioning of neurons and muscle cells.
Membrane potential is generated by the movement of ions across the cell membrane. The membrane is selectively permeable, allowing certain ions to pass through while restricting others. This creates an imbalance of positive and negative charges, leading to the establishment of a membrane potential.
There are two main types of membrane potential:
Several factors can affect the membrane potential of a cell:
Membrane potential serves several important functions in living organisms:
To understand membrane potential, it is important to study the following concepts:
Understanding membrane potential is crucial for comprehending the functioning of the nervous system, muscle physiology, and various cellular processes.
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