And it generates the action potentials on the cell membrane, and it moves the electrical signal along the axon and passes that electric signal down to adjacent cells. And by this method, our cells can communicate with one another in a direct and rapid fashion over very short distances. Now, before we actually describe how the neuron generates the action potential and what the action potential is, let's describe the cell membrane of the neuron. When the neuron is at rest, that is, when it is not generating any action potential. So this is known as the resting membrane of our neuron. Now, the resting membrane contains a certain voltage difference.