Question

Resting membrane potential is maintained by:

(a) hormones

(b) neurotransmitters

(c) ion pumps

(d) None of these

Answer 1

(c) The ionic gradients across the resting membrane are maintained by the active transport of ions by the sodium-potassium pumps (or ion pumps) which transport 3 $N{a}^{+}$ outward for every $2K^{+}$ into the cell.