kalvoresistanssia

Kalvoresistanssia, a Finnish term, translates to "membrane resistance" in English and refers to a concept primarily in electrophysiology and biology. It quantitizes how easily electrical charge can pass through a biological membrane. Specifically, it is the reciprocal of membrane conductance, which is the measure of how well ions can flow across the membrane. A high membrane resistance implies that the membrane acts as a good insulator, impeding the flow of ions. Conversely, a low membrane resistance indicates that ions can pass through the membrane more readily, making it a poorer insulator.

This property is crucial for maintaining the resting membrane potential of cells, particularly neurons and muscle cells. The resting membrane potential is a difference in electrical potential across the cell membrane when the cell is not actively signaling. Ion channels, which are protein pores in the membrane, control the flow of specific ions and thus influence membrane resistance. When ion channels open or close, they alter the membrane's conductance and, consequently, its resistance. Changes in membrane resistance are fundamental to processes such as nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and signal transduction. The concept is also applied in fields like bioelectronics and the development of artificial membranes.