Membrane potential is what we use to describe the difference in voltage (or electrical potential) between the inside and outside of a cell. So, my question is how do we stabilise or neutralize these voltage differences?
Cell membranes in general, and membranes of nerve cells in particular, maintain a small voltage or potential across the membrane in its normal or resting state which arises from differences in concentration of the electrolyte ions K+ and Na+.
The cell membranes which are selectively permeable contain ion channels that allow K+ ions to pass to the interior of the cell, but block Na+ ions. Negatively charged proteins on the interior of the cell are also denied passage across the membrane. In addition, there are active transport mechanisms at work. The sodium-potassium pump utilizes ATP to pump out three Na+ ions and pump in two K+ ions. In the process, the pump helps to stabilize membrane potential.
One approach which I could think of is that if the cell membrane was simply permeable to these ions, they would approach an equilibrium with equal concentrations on each side of the membrane, and hence no voltage difference.
Malcolm Nobre , Thank you for your insight, I have a similar answer
As I have written,
Membrane potential is a fundamental biophysical parameter common to all cellular life. The membrane potential (voltage) is conventionally defined as V=ϕin−ϕout where ϕin and ϕout are the potentials inside and outside the cell, respectively. Na+/K+ATPase pump actively transports Na+ out of the cell and K+into the cell. It helps to neutralize the decreasing concentration gradient caused by the K+ inside the cell.
Please be specific. The membrane potential of ths individual cells can be either depolarized, hyperpolarized, or even repolarized. As the membrane potential was 'neutralized', that means that the cell is going to die.