Na K Voltagegated K channel closed Voltagegated Nat channel

Na+ K+ Voltage-gated K+ channel (closed) Voltage-gated Nat channel (closed) Anions (negatively charged proteins, nucleic acids, and other large molecules)

Solution

Answer:

The electrical potential difference between the inside of the cell and the surrounding extracellular fluid is called membrane potenitial. This is important in neurons and muscle cells since changes in the membrane potential is used to code and transmit impulses (information).

The membrane potential exists due to the accumulation of positive and negative charges on both sides of the membrane. At rest, the inner side of the membrane is relatively more negative than the outer membrane resulting in a potential difference.

Specialized ion channels (and pumps) exists on the membrane which actively transports sodium ions out and potassium ions in. These pumps counteract the ionic flow of both these ions via pores and gated channels which degrade the concentration differences of ions on both sides of the membrane. In doing so, the ionic concentration gradient is preserved and the resting membrane potential is maintained.