The inside of a cell is generally more positively charged compared to the outside

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The statement asserts that the inside of a cell is generally more positively charged compared to the outside. In reality, the resting membrane potential of most animal cells has the interior at a negative charge relative to the exterior, typically around -60 to -70 millivolts. This negative interior results from the differential distribution of ions across the plasma membrane, especially high intracellular concentrations of anions and potassium ions, along with a relatively high extracellular concentration of sodium ions. The activity of the Na+/K+ pump (which moves 3 Na+ out for every 2 K+ in) helps maintain this gradient, contributing to the negative resting potential inside. Therefore, the claim that the inside is more positive is incorrect.

Why the other way around is true: if the statement were true, it would imply the interior is more positively charged, which would invert the established resting membrane potential and disrupt a wide range of cellular processes, including action potential generation in nerve and muscle cells. In healthy cells, the outside is comparatively more positive due to the higher concentration of Na+ and other cations outside the membrane at rest. This mismatch with the question’s statement confirms why the answer is false.

In summary, the inside of a typical cell is not more positively charged than the outside; it is normally more negative, making the provided statement false.

2261 BIOSC 1500 SEC1030 Cell Bio 1500'25 first midterm, 75 min version

The inside of a cell is generally more positively charged compared to the outside

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