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Preferred Term:

membrane potential

Definition:
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).
Concept Schemes:
NALT Core
NALT Full
Narrower Concepts:
Entry Terms:
  • transmembrane potential
  • resting membrane potential
  • resting potential
URI:
https://lod.nal.usda.gov/nalt/3910
Download this Concept:
RDF/XMLCreated 2006-01-19, last modified 2014-10-08