The McGill Physiology Virtual Lab

Resting membrane Potential

All living cells generate a standing voltage difference between the inside and the outside of the cell known as the resting membrane potential. Neurons and muscle cells conduct information and trigger events by changes in this resting potential.

In this lab you will measure the resting membrane potential from crayfish muscle cells using glass micropipettes. You will also study the effects of varying the extracellular potassium ion concentration and the effects of introducing the potassium blocker TEA.

Click here to continue with the Theory section