resting potential

resting potential
resting potential n the membrane potential of a cell that is not exhibiting the activity resulting from a stimulus compare ACTION POTENTIAL, POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE

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resting membrane potential the electrical potential of the inside of a cell at rest relative to the immediate external environment; in nearly all animal cells it is negative (−20 to −100mV) and is maintained mainly by diffusion of potassium ions out of the cell through potassium channels. cf. action p.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Resting potential — The relatively static membrane potential of quiescent cells is called the resting membrane potential (or resting voltage), as opposed to the specific dynamic electrochemical phenomena called action potential and graded membrane potential. Apart… …   Wikipedia

  • resting potential — ▪ biochemistry       the imbalance of electrical charge that exists between the interior of electrically excitable nerve cells and their surroundings. The resting potential of electrically excitable cells lies in the range of −60 to 95 millivolts …   Universalium

  • resting potential — The electrical potential of the inside of a cell, relative to its surroundings. Almost all animal cells are negative inside; resting potentials are in the range 20 to 100mV, 70mV typical. Resting potentials reflect the action of the sodium pump… …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • resting potential — noun the potential difference between the two sides of the membrane of a nerve cell when the cell is not conducting an impulse • Hypernyms: ↑electric potential, ↑potential, ↑potential difference, ↑potential drop, ↑voltage …   Useful english dictionary

  • potential difference — potential dif·fer·ence dif (ə )rən(t)s n the difference in electrical potential between two points that represents the work involved or the energy released in the transfer of a unit quantity of electricity from one point to the other compare… …   Medical dictionary

  • potential difference — noun the difference in electrical charge between two points in a circuit expressed in volts • Syn: ↑electric potential, ↑potential, ↑potential drop, ↑voltage • Hypernyms: ↑electrical phenomenon • Hyponyms: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • potential drop — noun the difference in electrical charge between two points in a circuit expressed in volts • Syn: ↑electric potential, ↑potential, ↑potential difference, ↑voltage • Hypernyms: ↑electrical phenomenon • Hyponyms: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • potential — 1. Capable of doing or being, although not yet doing or being; possible, but not actual. 2. A state of tension in an electric source enabling it to do work under suitable conditions; in relation to electricity, p. is analogous to the temperature… …   Medical dictionary

  • potential energy — energy present in a resting body (Physics) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Membrane potential — Differences in concentration of ions on opposite sides of a cellular membrane lead to a voltage called the membrane potential. Many ions have a concentration gradient across the membrane, including potassium (K+), which is at a high inside and a… …   Wikipedia

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