What term is used to describe the condition when the membrane potential becomes slightly more negative than its original resting potential?

Hyperpolarization refers to the condition when the membrane potential of a neuron becomes more negative than its normal resting potential. The resting membrane potential is typically around -70 mV, and during hyperpolarization, this value can drop even further, often reaching around -90 mV. This occurs due to an increased permeability of the membrane to potassium ions (K+) or the influx of chloride ions (Cl-), which causes the inside of the cell to become more negatively charged relative to the outside.

This phenomenon is crucial for the functioning of neurons, as it contributes to the generation of action potentials. When a neuron hyperpolarizes, it becomes less likely to fire an action potential because the membrane potential is further away from the threshold needed for activation. Hyperpolarization plays an important role in signaling within the nervous system and is involved in processes such as inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs).

The other terms relate to different changes in membrane potential. Depolarization, for instance, describes the process whereby the membrane potential becomes less negative or more positive, moving towards zero and, in some cases, surpassing it. Repolarization refers to the return of the membrane potential to its resting state after a depolarization event, while resting potential simply