potential (redirected from potentializes)

potential /po·ten·tial/ (po-ten´shal)

1. existing and ready for action, but not active.

2. the work per unit charge necessary to move a charged body in an electric field from a reference point to another point, measured in volts.

---

action potential  (AP) the electrical activity developed in a muscle or nerve cell during activity.

after-potential  afterpotential.

electric potential , electrical potential potential (2).

evoked potential  (EP) the electrical signal recorded from a sensory receptor, nerve, muscle, or area of the central nervous system that has been stimulated, usually by electricity.

membrane potential  the electric potential existing on the two sides of a membrane or across the cell wall.

resting potential  the potential difference across the membrane of a normal cell at rest.

spike potential  the initial, very large change in potential of an excitable cell membrane during excitation.

---

po·ten·tial (p-tnshl)

adj.

Capable of being but not yet in existence; latent.

n.

1. The inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or coming into being.

2. The work required to bring a unit electric charge, magnetic pole, or mass from an infinitely distant position to a designated point in a static electric, magnetic, or gravitational field, respectively.

3. The potential energy of a unit charge at any point in an electric circuit measured with respect to a specified reference point in the circuit or to ground; voltage.

---

potential

1. existing and ready for action, but not active.

2. electric tension or pressure.

---

action potential

see action potential.

after-potential

the period following termination of the spike potential.

membrane potential

see membrane potential.

resting potential

the potential difference across the membrane of a normal cell at rest.

spike potential

the initial, very large change in potential of an excitable cell membrane during excitation.

zeta potential

a net negative charge.

---

potential Vox populi 1. The difference in electric charge between 2 points in a circuit, expressed in volts or mV. See Action potential, Evoked potential, Inhibitory post-synaptic potential, Late potential, Membrane potential, Spike potential, Ventricular late potential, Zeta potential 2. The inherent capacity to occur. See Biological hazard potential, Biopotential, Biotic potential, Chemical potential, Health potential, Maximum life-span potential.