Resting Membrane Potential and Depolarization

These flashcards cover key concepts regarding the resting membrane potential, ion channels, and depolarization in neurons.

Resting Membrane Potential

The voltage difference across a cell membrane when the cell is at rest, typically around -70 mV.

Sodium-Potassium Pump (Na+/K+ pump)

A protein that pumps 3 sodium ions out of the cell and 2 potassium ions into the cell, maintaining the concentration gradients.

Depolarization

A change in the resting membrane potential making the inside of the cell more positive, such as a change from -70 mV to -65 mV.

Leaky Ion Channels

Channels in the membrane that allow ions like K+ to leak out of the neuron more easily than Na+ can leak back in.

Polarized State

The condition of a neuron when the inside of the cell is more negative than the outside, resulting in a voltage difference.

Voltage Difference

The difference in electric potential across the membrane, crucial for nerve signal transmission.

Ionic Concentration Gradients

The unequal distribution of ions (Na+ and K+) across the cell membrane, maintained by the Na+/K+ pump.

Electrochemical Gradient

The combined effect of electrical and concentration gradients that influences the movement of ions across the membrane.