Which of the following describes membrane capacitance?

Membrane capacitance refers specifically to the ability of a biological membrane to store electrical charge. This characteristic arises from the membrane's lipid bilayer structure, which acts as an insulator, separating charges across the membrane. When a voltage is applied, an electric field is generated, allowing the membrane to accumulate charge on either side, thus affecting the membrane potential and its electrical properties.

The capacitance of a membrane is crucial for the function of excitable cells, such as neurons and muscle cells, because it contributes to the generation and propagation of action potentials. In essence, the membrane's capacitance directly influences how signal transduction occurs in these cells.

Other choices focus on different physical properties or biological processes. For instance, the ability to resist pressure involves mechanical strength, while the ability to facilitate diffusion pertains to the movement of molecules across the membrane. The ability to transport substances is primarily related to active and passive transport mechanisms rather than capacitance. Thus, while all these properties are important in cellular function, only the ability to store electrical charge accurately describes membrane capacitance.