Question

multiple choice question
what is the ability of a neurons plasma membrane to produce a positive charge on the outer surface and a negative charge on the inner surface called?
o voltage gated potential
action potential
o resting membrane potential

Explanation:

• Voltage - gated potential: Refers to the opening or closing of ion channels in response to voltage changes, not the overall charge separation across the membrane.
• Action potential: A rapid change in membrane potential (depolarization, repolarization, etc.) that occurs when a neuron is activated, not the baseline charge separation.
• Resting membrane potential: This is the baseline electrical potential of a neuron's plasma membrane when it is not actively transmitting a signal. It results in a positive charge on the outer surface and a negative charge on the inner surface due to the selective permeability of the membrane to ions (e.g., higher \(K^{+}\) inside and higher \(Na^{+}\) outside, along with the presence of large anions inside).

Answer:

resting membrane potential