Which statement correctly pairs membrane potential with the resting state?

Which statement correctly pairs membrane potential with the resting state?

• A. -60 mV corresponds to resting
• B. -50 mV corresponds to resting
• C. -65 mV corresponds to resting
• D. -40 mV corresponds to resting

Answer: (C)

Resting membrane potential is the steady-state voltage across the cell membrane when the cell is not signaling. It arises mainly because the membrane is more permeable to potassium than to other ions, and the Na+/K+ pump maintains the concentration gradients. The typical value used to represent resting potential in many neurons and related cells is around -65 to -70 mV. So the statement that -65 mV corresponds to resting is the best match because it sits squarely in that usual resting range. Values like -50 mV or -40 mV are more depolarized, meaning the inside is less negative and the cell is closer to or at the threshold for triggering an action potential. A value like -60 mV is slightly less negative than the classic rest value, and while some cells may rest near that level, -65 mV is the standard, most representative resting value in this context.

Resting membrane potential is the steady-state voltage across the cell membrane when the cell is not signaling. It arises mainly because the membrane is more permeable to potassium than to other ions, and the Na+/K+ pump maintains the concentration gradients. The typical value used to represent resting potential in many neurons and related cells is around -65 to -70 mV. So the statement that -65 mV corresponds to resting is the best match because it sits squarely in that usual resting range.

Values like -50 mV or -40 mV are more depolarized, meaning the inside is less negative and the cell is closer to or at the threshold for triggering an action potential. A value like -60 mV is slightly less negative than the classic rest value, and while some cells may rest near that level, -65 mV is the standard, most representative resting value in this context.