Resting potential

Resting potential is the relatively static membrane potential of quiescent cells. It is also referred to as resting membrane potential (RMP), and it is the voltage (charge) difference across the cell membrane when the cell is at rest. Resting potential is fundamental to the function of many cells, with notable examples being neurons and muscle cells.

Overview

Resting potential is created and maintained by the cell membrane being selectively permeable to potassium and sodium ions via ion channels, and the action of cell transporters, which pump ions across the membrane against their concentration gradient. The resting potential of a cell can vary, but human neurons are typically around -70 millivolts (mV).

Mechanism

The resting potential is mostly determined by the concentrations of the ions in the fluids on both sides of the cell membrane and the ion transport proteins that are in the cell membrane. How much each ion contributes to the resting potential is determined by two factors: the difference in the concentration of that ion across the cell membrane and the permeability of the membrane to that ion.

Role in action potential

The resting potential plays a critical role in the generation of action potentials. It allows a cell to have a baseline from which it can produce a signal. Changes in the resting potential can lead to spontaneous action potentials or graded potentials.

See also

• Action potential
• Membrane potential
• Nernst equation
• Goldman equation
• Hodgkin-Huxley model

References

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