For example, during development, our body's cells may communicate using chemicals called hormones so that sex-specific structures are built. In these cases, our body will require the use of excitable cells that send electrical signals. Essentially my research concerns how a cell can generate such electrical signals.
All cells maintain an electrical difference across their cell membrane.
This is done in order to optimize the conditions in the cell for various cellular processes. The electrical difference across the membrane arises because various ions, such as potassium, sodium, and calcium, are present in different concentrations on the two sides of the membrane. A typical cell is said to be polarized in that it is more negative on the inside relative to the outside. Normally this electrical difference, or membrane potential, will not change very much or very quickly. However, excitable cells can rapidly change their membrane potential in response to a signal.