Membrane potential

The cells in our body have a thin membrane that acts like a fence, keeping the good things in and the bad things out. But this fence also has an electric charge, like a tiny battery. That charge is called the "membrane potential."

Think of it like a playground slide. When all the kids are at the bottom of the slide, they are all bunched up and there is no energy. But if one kid climbs to the top, they have more energy because they are higher up. The same thing happens with the membrane potential.

Special molecules, called ions, move in and out of the cell through tiny doors in the fence. When more positive ions come in, the membrane potential becomes more positive (like climbing up the slide). When more negative ions come in, the membrane potential becomes more negative (like going down the slide).

This change in the membrane potential is important because it controls when and how the cell sends messages. When the potential changes, it can trigger the release of chemicals that send signals to other cells or muscles.

So, basically, the membrane potential is like a tiny battery in the cell fence that helps the cell talk to other cells and do things.