Which term describes the voltage difference across a cell's plasma membrane?

The term that describes the voltage difference across a cell's plasma membrane is membrane potential. This concept refers to the electrical potential difference between the interior of a cell and its external environment, resulting primarily from the distribution of ions, such as potassium, sodium, and chloride, across the membrane.

Membrane potential is crucial for the functioning of excitable cells, like neurons and muscle cells, as it plays a key role in signaling and conduction of electrical impulses. The value of membrane potential can change in response to various stimuli, which can lead to significant physiological effects.

While equilibrium potential, resting potential, and action potential are all related to membrane potentials, they describe more specific states or conditions of the membrane. Equilibrium potential refers to the specific voltage at which there is no net movement of a particular ion across the membrane, resting potential is the baseline level of membrane potential in a non-excited state, and action potential describes a rapid and temporary change in membrane potential during the transmission of a signal. However, the general term that encompasses the voltage difference itself is membrane potential.