Resting Potential

Resting potential is the electrical potential difference across a cell membrane when the neuron is not actively firing signals (negative resting potential measures – 70 millivolts or mV). A stable electrical charge is maintained by the unstimulated cell membrane, usually with a negative charge inside compared to outside the cell (due to uneven distribution of ions across the membrane). When the neuron’s stimulated, the resting potential changes rapidly, generating an electrical signal (action potential) which is crucial for nerve impulse transmission.