The difference in electrical charge between the inside and the outside of the axon membrane is defined as the _______ potential.

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The question asks for the term that completes the blank: 'The difference in electrical charge between the inside and the outside of the axon membrane is defined as the _______ potential.'
Here, the only provided option is 'membrane'. In physiology, the voltage difference across a cell membrane is known as the membrane potential, which arises from the separation of charges across the lipid bilayer and the action of ion channels and pumps.
When we place the word 'membrane' before 'potential', we get 'membrane potential,' a standard term describing this electrical difference.
Since there are no alternative terms offered in the choices, there is no other option to compare. The conceptual idea hinges on pairing the word with 'potential' to yield the correct physiological term that conveys the charge separation across the membrane.
In broader terms, if one were to consider other possibilities (such as 'cell' potential or 'axonal' potential), they would not be the established nomenclature for this specific electrical difference across the axon membrane, which is precisely captured by the 'membrane' qualifier.
Thus, understanding the relationship between the membrane and its potential clarifies why 'membrane' appropriately fills the blank in this statement.

PSYC304 Quiz 4

The difference in electrical charge between the inside and the outside of the axon membrane is defined as the _______ potential.

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