Measuring the Membrane Potential Difference

[nothing123]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi,

This has been bothering me. When we measure the resting membrane potential for lets say a neuron cell, we get a value of about -70mV. This means that the inside of the cell is not necessarily negative right, just negative relative to the outside? Would this also mean the outside of the cell was set at a potential of 0 mV? Finally, if we decided to switch around the electrodes of the voltmeter that was measuring the membrane potential difference, would the voltmeter then in fact read +70mV?

Thanks for your help.

 

[HawkeyePostOp]

yes
yes, if both electrodes were placed outside, voltage would of course be zero (potential is relative)
and yes