CELL MEMBRANE and RESTING MEMBRANE POTENTIAL

• Resting membrane potential:

  • There is a potential difference across the membranes where the intracellular area is negatively charged and the extracellular area (interstitial area) is positively charged
• Unique properties of cell membranes are responsible for the differences in the composition of the intracellular and interstitial fluid compartments
• Properties of cell membrane:

  • Impermeable to intracellular proteins and other organic anions (A-)
  • Moderately permeable to Na+
  • Freely permeable to Cl- and K+