The cell membrane’s resting potential (about −70 mV inside with respect to the outside) is due mainly to which of the following mechanisms? A. The sodium potassium pump. B. The diffusion of cations and anions through the membrane along their con- centration gradients. C. The diffusion of sodium and potassium across the cell membrane. D. The presence inside the cell of anions too large to passively cross the cell membrane
Option A.The ATPase pump shifts three Na out of the cell and two K into the cell. This disparity in high-quality charge is the predominant infl uence on the resting potential.
