Membrane potentials: measurement, occurrence and roles in cellular functions

Abstract

Over a quarter of a century ago, the publication of the now familiar fluid-mosaic model of biological membranes (Fig. 1) described by Singer and Nicolson [] was a landmark in cell biology. It provided a sound rubric for the future studies of the profound roles membranes play in cellular and physiological functions. And, indeed, a colossal expansion of both the information and understanding of the central role that membranes play in all aspects of cell function [] has been seen. Apart from effectively defining the cell both morphologically as well as functionally, we have the beginnings of an understanding of how membranes feature in cellular development, cell recognition, metabolism, signal transduction and pathology etc. but many molecular details of the mechanisms remain elusive.