This concentration gradient is extremely important for setting the resting membrane potential of excitable cell membranes, which is needed for normal contraction of smooth, cardiac, and skeletal muscle.

电化学梯度在可兴奋细胞膜静息电位的形成中十分重要，而平滑肌，心肌还有骨骼肌的收缩都需要可兴奋细胞膜的参与。