Application of Voltammetry in the Studies of Cellular Membrane Potential

The membrane potential plays a fundamental role in numerous physiological processes, including nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, ion transport, neurotransmitter release, and cellular signaling. Understanding the electrochemical processes governing membrane polarization and depolarization is therefore essential for elucidating normal cellular functions and their disturbances under pathological conditions. This contribution highlights the potential applications of voltammetric techniques for investigating electrochemical phenomena associated with biological membranes. Particular attention is given to the roles of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Cl⁻ ions, their transport across cellular membranes, and the influence of ion-channel activity on membrane polarization. The possibilities of using voltammetric measurements to characterize membrane-associated redox processes, ion-transfer phenomena in model membrane systems, and the effects of biologically active compounds on membrane-related electrochemical responses are discussed. Emphasis is also placed on the complementary role of voltammetry alongside electrophysiological techniques in understanding membrane function. These approaches offer valuable perspectives for studying cellular electrochemical processes and developing new electroanalytical strategies for biomedical research.