Question

What is the relatively static membrane potential of quiescent cells called?

(a) half-cell potential

(b) action potential

(c) resting membrane potential

(d) cell potential

The question was posed to me in an interview for internship.

The question is from Origin of Bioelectric Signals topic in division Bioelectric Signal and Electrodes of Biomedical Instrumentation

Answer 1

The correct option is (c) resting membrane potential

The best I can explain: Resting membrane potential or the resting potential is the relative static membrane potential of quiescent cell. That is if the resting membrane potential of a neuron is about -70 mV (mV=millivolt) it means that the inside of the neuron is 70 mV less than the outside of the neuron. An action potential occurs when the potential of the membrane of a given axonal position increases and decreases rapidly. This depolarization causes depolarization of adjacent positions in a similar way.