Since there is a larger concentration of potassium ions inside a neuron,why is the inside of the neuron negative (-70mV)relative to the outside?
A)Potassium ions carry a negative charge.
B)Negatively-charged proteins inside the cell counteract the charge of the potassium ions.
C)The negative sign is just a historical convention.
D)The high concentration of sodium ions outside the cell makes the inside negative by comparison.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

While potassium ions do carry a positive charge, the inside of the cell is negative relative to the outside due to the presence of negatively charged proteins inside the cell that counteract the positive charge of the potassium ions. This results in an overall negative charge inside the neuron. The high concentration of sodium ions outside the cell does play a role in generating this charge, but it is not the primary reason for the negative charge inside the cell. The negative sign is not just a historical convention, as it reflects the overall charge of the neuron relative to its environment.

Since There Is a Larger Concentration of Potassium Ions Inside