Membrane potential of myocyte plasma membrane (null)

The myocyte plasma membrane potential is the electrical voltage difference across the cell membrane of a muscle cell, mainly established by ionic concentration gradients (especially potassium, sodium, chloride, and calcium), selective permeability of ion channels, and activity of electrogenic pumps (Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase)[1][2][3][5]. In cardiac myocytes, the resting membrane potential is typically around −80 to −90 mV[2][3][8]. Changes in this voltage underlie the electrical activity that initiates muscle contraction through action potentials, and the maintenance of normal membrane potential is essential for proper muscle function, electrical conduction, and rhythmic contraction[1][8]. The membrane potential is a dynamic property, not a discrete protein or receptor, and cannot be targeted directly by therapeutics; instead, drugs modulate the activities of various ion channels and pumps that together define the membrane potential[4].

Other names

Membrane potentialtransmembrane potentialmembrane voltageresting membrane potential (when at rest)

Drugs do not target the membrane potential directly; they alter ion channel activity to change the membrane potential