Resting potential in nerve cells is maintained by:

Explanation

Resting membrane potentials are maintained by two different types of ion channels: the sodium-potassium pump and the sodium and potassium leak channels. Firstly, there is a higher concentration of potassium ions inside the cell in comparison to the outside of the cell. This creates an unequal distribution of potassium ions, or more accurately, a potassium ion gradient is created. Therefore, following the concentration gradient, the potassium ions will diffuse from the inside of the cell to the outside of the cell via its leaky channels. As the potassium ions leave the cell, it increases the number of anions trapped inside the cell, hence accumulating the negative charges, and the positive charges are accumulated outside of the cell. Therefore, more positively charged ions are being removed from the cell than are entering it, making the inside environment of the cell comparatively negative to the outside.