Phenomena and Processes

Membrane Potentials

The voltage differences across a membrane. For cellular membranes they are computed by subtracting the voltage measured outside the membrane from the voltage measured inside the membrane. They result from differences of inside versus outside concentration of potassium, sodium, chloride, and other ions across cells' or ORGANELLES membranes. For excitable cells, the resting membrane potentials range between -30 and -100 millivolts. Physical, chemical, or electrical stimuli can make a membrane potential more negative (hyperpolarization), or less negative (depolarization).

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The voltage differences across a membrane. For cellular membranes they are computed by subtracting the voltage measured outside the membrane from the voltage measured inside the membrane. They result from differences of inside versus outside concentration of potassium, sodium, chloride, and other ions across cells' or ORGANELLES membranes. For excitable cells, the resting membrane potentials range between -30 and -100 millivolts. Physical, chemical, or electrical stimuli can make a membrane potential more negative (hyperpolarization), or less negative (depolarization).

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Synonyms

23 entry terms
  • Delta Psi
  • Transmembrane Electrical Potential Difference
  • Transmembrane Potential Difference
  • Transmembrane Potentials
  • Difference, Transmembrane Potential
  • Differences, Transmembrane Potential
  • Membrane Potential
  • Potential Difference, Transmembrane
  • Potential Differences, Transmembrane
  • Potential, Membrane
  • Potential, Transmembrane
  • Potentials, Membrane
  • Potentials, Transmembrane
  • Transmembrane Potential
  • Transmembrane Potential Differences
  • Resting Membrane Potential
  • Resting Potentials
  • Membrane Potential, Resting
  • Membrane Potentials, Resting
  • Potential, Resting
  • Potentials, Resting
  • Resting Membrane Potentials
  • Resting Potential

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Aspects Covered

5 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings drug effects, genetics, immunology, physiology, radiation effects.

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Indexing Annotation

coordinate with organ /physiol

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History Note

68(67)

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Previous Indexing

  • Electrophysiology (1966)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. G01w.154.535w
  2. G04.580w
  3. G07.265.675w
  4. G11.561.570w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Membrane Potentials. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D008564. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D008564
  2. Membrane Potentials. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Membrane_potential
  3. Membrane Potentials. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q389844