NALT

Preferred term

membrane potential

Topic

The voltage differences across a membrane. For cellular membranes they are computed by subtracting the voltage measured outside the membrane from the voltage measured inside the membrane. They result from differences of inside versus outside concentration of potassium, sodium, chloride, and other ions across cells' or organelles membranes. For excitable cells, the resting membrane potentials range between -30 and -100 millivolts. Physical, chemical, or electrical stimuli can make a membrane potential more negative (hyperpolarization), or less negative (depolarization).

action potentials

resting membrane potential
resting potential
transmembrane potential

Field 001 in MARC Authority Format

22969

Spanish

potencial de la membrana

URI

https://lod.nal.usda.gov/nalt/3910

Download this concept

Created 1/19/06, last modified 10/8/14