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AAT Bioquest

What is the difference between membrane potential and action potential?

Posted July 15, 2022


Answer

Membrane potential refers to the difference between the intra-cellular and extracellular electric potential when a cell is at rest. The resting membrane potential is usually negative. Action potential refers to transient shift from negative to positive potential that results when an electrical impulse causes sodium and potassium ions to flow in and out of the cell. 

Additional resources

Membrane Potential and Channels

Generation and propagation of the action potential

MM 1-43 [N-(3-Triethylammoniumpropyl)-4-(4-(dibutylamino)styryl)pyridinium dibromide] *CAS#: 149838-22-2*