Question

Electrical properties of membranes biology discussion

Answer 1

The fundamental unit of all biological life is the cell, a mass of biomolecules in watery solution surrounded by a cell membrane. One of the characteristic features of a living cell is that it controls the exchange of electrically charged ions across the cell membrane and therefore the electrical potential of its interior relative to the exterior. This Scholarpedia page is a basic introduction into the mechanisms underlying this process. Although most of the material applies to all biological cells, we will focus on those mechanisms which are of particular importance for neurons.