Question

What processes maintain a steady state "resting" membrane potential?

Answer 1

Resting membrane potential refers to the voltage across the membrane of a resting neuron. The resting membrane potential of a neuron is around -70mV. The positively charged ions like the sodium and potassium, negatively charged ions like the chloride are found on the membrane and around the neurons.

The processes that maintain a steady resting membrane potential are the-

(a) Diffusion and active transport- In diffusion, ions like the sodium and potassium move down their concentration gradient through the channels on the membrane of the neuron. In active transport the ions move against their concentration gradient using ATP as a source of energy.

(b) The Donnan effect- It is the attraction of positively charged ions like sodium and potassium and repelling of negatively charged ions like chloride by the huge impermeant negatively charged intracellular molecules.