Resting Nerve Membrane Potentials

Multiple Choice Questions in Neurology:

What is the value of normal resting nerve action potential?

1. -30 mv

2. -40 mv

3. -50 mv

4. -70 mv

Resting Nerve Membrane Potentials

• At the resting state of the neurons:

• More sodium ions are outside

• More potassium ions are inside

• The inside of the neuron is negative relative to the outside

• In the resting state, the outside of the nerve cell (extracellular) has zero potential so the resting membrane potential is equal to the voltage inside the cell (intracellular).

• The normal resting membrane potential of a neuron is -70 mV.

• Remember, the negative (-) means the inside of the neuron is 70 mV less than the outside.

• The resting nerve membrane potential is because of potassium (K) ions.
  

  

Reference(s):

• Hodgkin, A. L., and A. F. Huxley. “Resting and Action Potentials in Single Nerve Fibres.” The Journal of Physiology, vol. 104, no. 2, 1945, pp. 176–95, doi:https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.1945.sp004114.

[Answer is 4. -70 mv]

Multiple Choice Questions in Neurology:

Which ion is responsible for generation of action potential in nerves?

1. Sodium

2. Potassium

3. Chloride

4. Magnesium

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