What kind of electrical charge is typically present during resting potential?

During the resting potential, neurons maintain a negative electrical charge within their interior compared to the outside environment. This state is primarily due to the distribution of ions across the neuronal membrane, where there is a higher concentration of negatively charged ions and proteins inside the cell as compared to the outside, where positively charged sodium ions are more prevalent.

The resting membrane potential usually ranges between -70mV to -90mV, reflecting this negative charge. The negative interior is crucial for the initiation of action potentials, as it sets the stage for the influx of sodium ions that leads to depolarization when a neuron is stimulated. Understanding this property is essential, as it underlies the fundamental workings of how neurons communicate and transmit signals throughout the nervous system.