Cellular Membrane Potential

The cellular membrane potential is the difference in electric potential (voltage) between the interior and exterior of a biological cell. It is calculated as the electrical potential inside the cell minus that outside. This voltage difference arises due to disparities in ion concentrations and selective permeability of the plasma membrane to various ions. It is fundamental for many physiological processes, including action potentials, cellular activities such as growth, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, and tissue homeostasis. The resting membrane potential results from differences in concentration of key ions (mainly K+, Na+, Cl−, Ca2+) across the plasma membrane, selective permeability of ion channels, and activity of electrogenic pumps such as Na+/K+-ATPase.

Other names

Membrane PotentialTransmembrane Potential