<p>There are other meanings of "potential" than the regular meaning "<em>having or showing the capacity to become or develop into something in the future</em>" (source: Google Translate).</p>

<p>In case of "<em>resting potential</em>" it refers to the <strong>voltage difference</strong> across the cellular membrane. Every cell maintains a voltage difference across the membrane (see a related question here: <a href="https://biology.stackexchange.com/questions/17840/resting-and-action-membrane-potential">https://biology.stackexchange.com/questions/17840/resting-and-action-membrane-potential</a>). The voltage difference is used for various purposes, including the transport of nutrients and ions, and it is crucial for action potentials to occur.  </p>

<p>In case of "<em>action potential</em>" it refers to a series of <strong>successive changes in the voltage difference</strong> across the membrane, which occurs when an excitable cell is triggered (see a related question here: <a href="https://biology.stackexchange.com/questions/91/how-do-the-brain-and-nerves-create-electrical-pulses/110#110">https://biology.stackexchange.com/questions/91/how-do-the-brain-and-nerves-create-electrical-pulses/110#110</a>).  </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-01-29T10:27:53.970Z
2015-01-30T09:55:30.037Z
2017-04-13T12:48:14.127Z
AliceD
<p>When an action potential is propagating through a neuron, it seems to me that the time for "potential of action" is over, and that we are now just in a state of "action". Why don't we just call action potentials "action"? Where is the potential for action when the neuron itself is undergoing action? In fact, when a neuron is at rest, it is said to have a "resting potential". To me this seems more like a "resting state" and an "action state". So what is so potential about "action potentials"?</p>

<neuroscience><neurophysiology>
What is so "potential" about action potentials?
RECURSIVE FARTS
# What is so "potential" about action potentials?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-01-29)

When an action potential is propagating through a neuron, it seems to me that the time for "potential of action" is over, and that we are now just in a state of "action". Why don't we just call action potentials "action"? Where is the potential for action when the neuron itself is undergoing action? In fact, when a neuron is at rest, it is said to have a "resting potential". To me this seems more like a "resting state" and an "action state". So what is so potential about "action potentials"?

**Tags:** neuroscience, neurophysiology


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-01-29. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

There are other meanings of "potential" than the regular meaning "*having or showing the capacity to become or develop into something in the future*" (source: Google Translate).

In case of "*resting potential*" it refers to the **voltage difference** across the cellular membrane. Every cell maintains a voltage difference across the membrane (see a related question here: <https://biology.stackexchange.com/questions/17840/resting-and-action-membrane-potential>). The voltage difference is used for various purposes, including the transport of nutrients and ions, and it is crucial for action potentials to occur.

In case of "*action potential*" it refers to a series of **successive changes in the voltage difference** across the membrane, which occurs when an excitable cell is triggered (see a related question here: <https://biology.stackexchange.com/questions/91/how-do-the-brain-and-nerves-create-electrical-pulses/110#110>).


---

