Polarized membrane

A polarized membrane is a lipid membrane that has a positive electrical charge on one side and a negative charge on another side, which produces the resting potential in living cells. Whether or not a membrane is polarized is determined by the distribution of dissociable protons and permeant ions inside and outside the membrane that travel passively through ion channel or actively via ion pump, creating an action potential.

This article is about biological membranes that express polarity. For the specialized region of a bacterial cell membrane, see Polar organelle.
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