Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Resting Membrane Potential01:24

Resting Membrane Potential

9.3K
9.3K
Resting Membrane Potential01:24

Resting Membrane Potential

26.5K
The relative difference in electrical charge, or voltage, between the inside and the outside of a cell membrane, is called the membrane potential. It is generated by differences in permeability of the membrane to various ions and the concentrations of these ions across the membrane.
The Inside of a Neuron is More Negative
The membrane potential of a cell can be measured by inserting a microelectrode into a cell and comparing the charge to a reference electrode in the extracellular fluid. The...
26.5K
The Resting Membrane Potential01:21

The Resting Membrane Potential

154.2K
Overview
154.2K
Resting Potential Decay01:15

Resting Potential Decay

7.0K
The resting membrane potential of a neuron (-70mV) is sustained due to the selective ion permeability of the membrane. At the resting potential, the membrane is slightly permeable to ions like sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−) and highly permeable to potassium ions (K+). Differences in the ions' concentration inside the cell compared to the outside are maintained by membrane transport proteins like channels and pumps.
At rest, the K+ is the main ion that moves across the membrane...
7.0K
Resting Potential Decay01:15

Resting Potential Decay

2.3K
2.3K
Potentiometry: Membrane Electrodes01:15

Potentiometry: Membrane Electrodes

2.4K
Membrane electrodes, also known as p-ion electrodes, use membranes that selectively interact with free analyte ions, generating a potential difference across the membrane. The resulting membrane potential, known as the asymmetry potential, is not zero even when analyte concentrations on both sides of the membrane are equal. The membrane's response is typically not selective to a single analyte but proportional to the concentration of all ions in the sample solution capable of interacting at...
2.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

A promising microscopic technique for detecting Schistosoma mansoni eggs.

Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease·2025
Same author

A guide to transport-of-intensity equation (TIE) imaging for biologists.

Progress in biophysics and molecular biology·2025
Same author

Measurement of protein concentration in bacteria and small organelles under a light transmission microscope.

Journal of molecular recognition : JMR·2024
Same author

Selective Visualization of Live Intestinal Parasites in Stool Specimens Without Purification.

Acta parasitologica·2022
Same author

Experimental test of the geometric model of image formation in bright-field microscopy.

Journal of microscopy·2021
Same author

Reversibility of dynamics and multiple-quantum coherences.

Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics·2015

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 20, 2026

Membrane Potentials, Synaptic Responses, Neuronal Circuitry, Neuromodulation and Muscle Histology Using the Crayfish: Student Laboratory Exercises
16:16

Membrane Potentials, Synaptic Responses, Neuronal Circuitry, Neuromodulation and Muscle Histology Using the Crayfish: Student Laboratory Exercises

Published on: January 18, 2011

60.3K

A model for membrane potential and intracellular ion distribution.

A K Khitrin1, K A Khitrin2, M A Model3

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.

Chemistry and Physics of Lipids
|December 3, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Cell membranes possess a negative electric charge, crucial for regulating ion transport and ATP synthesis. This study refines membrane potential theory, explaining ion interactions and electrostatic attraction without intracellular fields.

Keywords:
Donnan potentialGouy–Chapman theoryMembrane potentialSurface potential

More Related Videos

Computational Modeling of Retinal Neurons for Visual Prosthesis Research - Fundamental Approaches
10:50

Computational Modeling of Retinal Neurons for Visual Prosthesis Research - Fundamental Approaches

Published on: June 21, 2022

2.3K
Author Spotlight: Advancing Cell Membrane Biophysics - Exploring Interactions and Challenges Through Experimental and Computational Approaches
07:31

Author Spotlight: Advancing Cell Membrane Biophysics - Exploring Interactions and Challenges Through Experimental and Computational Approaches

Published on: September 1, 2023

3.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 20, 2026

Membrane Potentials, Synaptic Responses, Neuronal Circuitry, Neuromodulation and Muscle Histology Using the Crayfish: Student Laboratory Exercises
16:16

Membrane Potentials, Synaptic Responses, Neuronal Circuitry, Neuromodulation and Muscle Histology Using the Crayfish: Student Laboratory Exercises

Published on: January 18, 2011

60.3K
Computational Modeling of Retinal Neurons for Visual Prosthesis Research - Fundamental Approaches
10:50

Computational Modeling of Retinal Neurons for Visual Prosthesis Research - Fundamental Approaches

Published on: June 21, 2022

2.3K
Author Spotlight: Advancing Cell Membrane Biophysics - Exploring Interactions and Challenges Through Experimental and Computational Approaches
07:31

Author Spotlight: Advancing Cell Membrane Biophysics - Exploring Interactions and Challenges Through Experimental and Computational Approaches

Published on: September 1, 2023

3.5K

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Cell Biology
  • Electrochemistry

Background:

  • Cells maintain a negative electric charge, essential for membrane potential.
  • This potential influences ion transport and mitochondrial ATP synthesis.
  • The negative charge arises from intracellular ions (Donnan potential) and membrane surface charges (surface potential).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To refine existing theories of membrane potential.
  • To develop a new model for the Donnan potential and surface potential components.
  • To explain electrostatic interactions between cationic proteins and cell membranes without intracellular fields.

Main Methods:

  • Calculating intracellular positive ion concentration profiles.
  • Deriving an equation for submembrane positive ion depletion.
  • Reinterpreting surface potential theory for closed membrane geometries.

Main Results:

  • A novel equation quantifies Donnan potential arising from ion depletion.
  • Ion depletion extent correlates with potential, suggesting a regulatory mechanism.
  • A new model explains cationic protein-membrane attraction without intracellular fields.

Conclusions:

  • Modified membrane potential theory better reflects cellular conditions.
  • The findings offer new insights into ion transport regulation.
  • The proposed mechanism advances understanding of protein-membrane electrostatic interactions.