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Resting Membrane Potential

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State

A resting neuron holds its interior near −70 millivolts relative to its exterior, maintained by more potassium leak channels than sodium and by the pump, per Bio 0362.

Show

Potassium ions leak out of the resting cell faster than sodium leaks in, leaving the interior negative.

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The exact resting value varies by neuron and species — the mechanism, not the number, is stable.