An electrical charge or membrane potential exists across nerve cell membranes because:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The electrical charge or membrane potential across nerve cell membranes exists because the cell membrane allows more positively charged ions to leak out than to leak in. This creates a net negative charge inside the cell, resulting in an electrical potential difference across the membrane. This is known as the resting membrane potential. Sodium ions do play a role in this process, but it is primarily due to the unequal permeability of the membrane to different ions. The membrane is not impermeable to all ions, nor does water flow freely across the membrane.

An Electrical Charge or Membrane Potential Exists Across Nerve Cell