About this book

In Module 8 we discussed resting membrane potential that occurs in all cells of the body. The inside of the cell is about -70 to -90 mV (more negative) compared to the outside of the cell. This potential does not carry any information because there is no significant net movement of ions across the membrane that can be transmitted along the membrane. Nevertheless, the membrane permeability (thus membrane potential) can be altered is such a way that specific patterns of ion fluxes across the membrane could be generated and transmitted rapidly along the membrane. This could then be utilized to carry information, especially via the nervous system.