Editing Resting potential (section)

== Membrane transport proteins ==
For determination of membrane potentials, the two most important types of membrane ion transport proteins are [[ion channel]]s and [[ion transporter]]s. Ion channel proteins create paths across cell membranes through which ions can passively [[diffusion|diffuse]] without direct expenditure of metabolic energy. They have selectivity for certain ions, thus, there are [[potassium channel|potassium-]], [[Chloride channel|chloride-]], and [[Sodium ion channel|sodium-selective ion channels]]. Different cells and even different parts of one cell ([[dendrite]]s, [[cell body|cell bodies]], [[Node of Ranvier|nodes of Ranvier]]) will have different amounts of various ion transport proteins. Typically, the amount of certain potassium channels is most important for control of the resting potential (see below). Some ion pumps such as the Na+/K+-ATPase are electrogenic, that is, they produce charge imbalance across the cell membrane and can also contribute directly to the membrane potential.  Most pumps use metabolic energy (ATP) to function.{{cn|date=May 2025}}