Chapter 1.2, Problem 4EIQ

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Nerve cell membrane is a bi-layered, phospholipid membrane, with cylindrical protein molecules in between, that allow certain chemicals to pass. The electric potential inside the cell is slightly negative, when compared to the outside potential, mainly due to the negatively charged proteins inside the cell. This difference in voltage is called the resting potential, which is around -70millivolts. Neuronal messages are due to resting potential differences, carried across the neuron. The sodium-potassium pump transports three sodium ions out of the cell for every two potassium ions taken inside.