Resting Potential

Definition

The resting potential is the electrical potential difference that exists across the cell membrane of a neuron or other excitable cell when the cell is not actively transmitting an electrical signal. It is a crucial component in the communication between neurons within the nervous system.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The resting potential is typically around -70 millivolts (mV), with the inside of the cell being negatively charged compared to the outside.
2. The resting potential is maintained by the unequal distribution of ions, particularly sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+), across the cell membrane, creating an electrochemical gradient.
3. The sodium-potassium pump, an active transport mechanism, continuously pumps sodium out of the cell and potassium into the cell, helping to maintain the resting potential.
4. The resting potential is essential for the generation and propagation of action potentials, which are the electrical signals that allow for communication between neurons.
5. Disruptions to the resting potential, such as changes in ion concentrations or the activity of the sodium-potassium pump, can lead to altered neuronal function and potentially contribute to neurological disorders.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of the resting potential in the communication between neurons.
  • The resting potential is a crucial component in the communication between neurons within the nervous system. It is the electrical potential difference that exists across the cell membrane of a neuron when the cell is not actively transmitting an electrical signal. This resting potential is maintained by the unequal distribution of ions, particularly sodium and potassium, across the cell membrane, creating an electrochemical gradient. This gradient is essential for the generation and propagation of action potentials, which are the electrical signals that allow for the transmission of information between neurons. The resting potential, along with the ability to generate action potentials, enables neurons to receive, process, and transmit information throughout the nervous system.
• Describe the role of the sodium-potassium pump in maintaining the resting potential.
  • The sodium-potassium pump, a membrane-bound protein, plays a crucial role in maintaining the resting potential. This active transport mechanism continuously pumps sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell, helping to maintain the electrochemical gradient that is necessary for the resting potential. The unequal distribution of these ions across the cell membrane creates a potential difference, with the inside of the cell being negatively charged compared to the outside. This resting potential is essential for the generation and propagation of action potentials, which are the electrical signals that allow for communication between neurons. By actively transporting sodium and potassium ions, the sodium-potassium pump helps to preserve the delicate balance of the electrochemical gradient, ensuring the proper functioning of the resting potential and, ultimately, the communication between neurons.
• Analyze how disruptions to the resting potential can contribute to neurological disorders.
  • Disruptions to the resting potential can have significant implications for neurological function and potentially contribute to the development of neurological disorders. The resting potential is maintained by the precise balance of ion concentrations, particularly sodium and potassium, across the cell membrane. Any changes to this delicate equilibrium, such as alterations in the activity of the sodium-potassium pump or imbalances in ion concentrations, can lead to alterations in the resting potential. These disruptions can, in turn, affect the generation and propagation of action potentials, which are essential for the communication between neurons. Impaired neuronal communication can result in various neurological symptoms and disorders, such as seizures, cognitive impairments, and neurodegeneration. Understanding the role of the resting potential and its maintenance by the sodium-potassium pump is crucial for identifying potential targets for therapeutic interventions in neurological disorders, as restoring the proper resting potential may help to improve neuronal function and overall nervous system health.

Related terms

Action Potential:

The rapid and transient change in the electrical potential of a neuron's membrane that propagates along the length of the neuron, allowing for the transmission of information.

Electrochemical Gradient: The difference in the concentration of ions, such as sodium and potassium, across a cell membrane that creates a potential difference and drives the movement of these ions.

Sodium-Potassium Pump:

A membrane-bound protein that actively transports sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell, maintaining the electrochemical gradient necessary for the resting potential.