MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -If the membrane potential becomes more positive than it is at the resting potential, the membrane is said to be depolarized. If the membrane potential becomes more negative than it is at the resting potential, the membrane is said to be hyperpolarized.

Detailed explanation-2: -This difference in charge is called the cell’s membrane potential. In the process of depolarization, the negative internal charge of the cell temporarily becomes more positive (less negative).

Detailed explanation-3: -Because there are many more sodium ions on the outside, and the inside of the neuron is negative relative to the outside, sodium ions rush into the neuron. Remember, sodium has a positive charge, so the neuron becomes more positive and becomes depolarized.

Detailed explanation-4: -A neuron at rest is negatively charged: the inside of a cell is approximately 70 millivolts more negative than the outside (−70 mV, note that this number varies by neuron type and by species).