Membrane potential
Membrane Potential
Membrane potential (pronunciation: /ˈmɛmbreɪn pəˈtɛnʃəl/) is the difference in electric potential between the interior and the exterior of a biological cell.
Etymology
The term "membrane potential" is derived from the words "membrane", which refers to the thin, pliable sheet that forms the boundary of the cell, and "potential", which in this context refers to the potential difference or voltage across the membrane.
Definition
Membrane potential is a fundamental aspect of all living cells and is crucial for various cellular processes. It is typically measured in millivolts (mV) and ranges from -40 mV to -80 mV in different cells. The exact value of the membrane potential depends on the concentrations of various ions on both sides of the membrane and the permeability of the membrane to those ions.
Related Terms
- Ion Channel: Protein structures in the cell membrane that allow ions to pass through.
- Resting Potential: The membrane potential of a cell that is not being stimulated or conducting impulses.
- Action Potential: A rapid, temporary change in the membrane potential, typically in response to a stimulus.
- Depolarization: A decrease in the difference in voltage across the cell membrane, making the inside of the cell less negative compared to the outside.
- Hyperpolarization: An increase in the difference in voltage across the cell membrane, making the inside of the cell more negative compared to the outside.
- Electrochemical Gradient: The combined effect of concentration gradient and electrical gradient across a membrane that influences the diffusion of ions.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Membrane potential
- Wikipedia's article - Membrane potential
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