When a nervous system receptor is in its resting state (not being stimulated) there is a difference in voltage between the inside and the outside of the cell.
This difference is called the potential difference.
This is being generated by the ion pumps and ion channels.
When a stimulus is detected, the cell membrane becomes excited and therefore more permeable thus allowing more ions to move in and out of the cell.
This alters the potential difference.
The change in potential difference due to a stimulus is the generator potential.
A bigger stimulus excites the membrane more causing a bigger movement of ions so a bigger change in potential difference so a bigger generator potential.
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