MICROANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -The difference in total charge between the inside and outside of the cell is called the membrane potential.

Detailed explanation-2: -Specifically, the inside of the cell has a negative charge just inside the cell membrane, with a higher concentration of Potassium ions inside the cell; the outside of the cell has a postive charge, with a higher concentration of Sodium ions.

Detailed explanation-3: -Simply stated, membrane potential is due to disparities in concentration and permeability of important ions across a membrane. Because of the unequal concentrations of ions across a membrane, the membrane has an electrical charge.

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).