C2.2.2—Resting potential generation
Resting potential is generated when ion pumps and membrane permeability make the inside of an axon negative relative to the outside.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Objective
- C2.2.2
- Level
- SL
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing4%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2024
Most common paperPaper2
Typical marks1–2
Common command terms
- Define
- Outline
- Explain
- State
- Label
Recent exam appearances
November 2024Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ25(b)[ 2 ]C2.2.2—Resting potential generation
May 2022Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ15(a)[ 1 ]C2.2.2—Resting potential generation
May 2021Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ14(b)[ 2 ]C2.2.2—Resting potential generation
May 2021Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ14(a)[ 1 ]C2.2.2—Resting potential generation
May 2018Paper3 ["SL"] · TZ24(b)(i)[ 2 ]C2.2.2—Resting potential generation
Practice this objective
Coverage 2015–2024 · Updated 15 Jul 2026
Concept essentials
- The resting axon is negative inside relative to outside.
- The sodium-potassium pump uses ATP to maintain ion gradients.
- Three sodium ions are pumped out for every two potassium ions pumped in.
- Resting potential is an actively maintained state, not an absence of membrane processes.