Final answer:
Regarding the resting potential of a neuron, voltage-gated potassium channels begin to open is the true statement. The resting membrane potential is maintained by the selective ion movement through channels and sodium-potassium pumps, creating a net negative charge inside the cell.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that is true regarding the resting potential of a neuron is: Voltage-gated potassium channels begin to open. During the resting state of a neuron, the inside of the cell is appoximately 70 millivolts (-70 mV) more negative compared to the outside. This state is caused by the different concentrations of ions inside and outside the cell, which is maintained by sodium-potassium pumps that bring two K+ ions into the cell and remove three Na+ ions out of the cell.
The resting membrane potential is dominated by the movement of K+ ions, where more potassium leaves the cell than sodium enters due to a higher number of potassium leakage channels compared to sodium leakage channels. Consequently, the inside of the cell maintains a net negative charge. The aforementioned pump uses one molecule of ATP for each cycle to maintain this resting potential.
During an action potential, once the threshold potential is reached, voltage-gated Na+ channels open, leading to depolarization. However, shortly after reaching a peak potential (around +40 mV), voltage-gated K+ channels also open, allowing K+ to exit the cell, bringing the membrane potential back to its resting state in a process called repolarization. If any event causes K+ to leave the cell, it would cause hyperpolarization, making the interior of the cell even more negative than the resting potential.