Question

How would you explain the active transport of ${ Na }^ { + }$ and ${ K }^ { + }$ in the plasma membrane?

Answer 1

Hint: From the name, it is clear that this pump involves the movement of sodium and potassium ions in the opposite direction against their concentration gradient.

Complete answer:
The process by which the active transport of ${ Na }^ { + }$ and ${ K }^ { + }$ occurs in the plasma membrane is called the Sodium-Potassium Pump. This pump is involved in the transport or movement of the sodium and potassium ions across the cell membrane. In this process, the energy currency ATP is hydrolyzed to liberate the energy required for the transport of sodium and potassium ions. The enzyme ${ Na }^ { + }$ /${ K }^ { + }$ -ATPase helps in the active transport of sodium and potassium ions where the sodium is expelled outside the cell and potassium is moved into the cell.
In cellular physiology, it has been identified that in many cells a protein is found which is responsible for maintaining the internal concentration of potassium ions [${ K }^ { + }$] higher than that in the surrounding medium such as blood, body fluid, and water and also the internal concentration of sodium ions [${ Na }^ { + }$] lower than that of the surrounding medium. The entire process of maintaining the concentration of ${ Na }^ { + }$ and K+ ions is called the Sodium-potassium pump. In the pump, the enzyme adenosine-triphosphatase (ATPase) is highly active in balancing the concentration of sodium [${ Na }^ { + }$] and potassium [${ K }^ { + }$] ions through the cell membrane and is activated by external [${ K }^ { + }$] ions and internal [${ Na }^ { + }$] ions. This enzyme ATPase uses the metabolic energy to transport or pump outward the ${ Na }^ { + }$ and inward the ${ K }^ { + }$. The resting potential of cells such as the action potential and related bioelectric phenomena depends on the steady-state difference in concentrations of ${ Na }^ { + }$ and ${ K }^ { + }$ maintained by the pump. In our body, other ion pumps have also been identified transporting different ions.

Note:
- The sodium-potassium pump may be a specialized sort of transport protein found in your cell membranes. Sodium-potassium pumps function to make a gradient between ${ Na }^ { + }$ and ${ K }^ { + }$ ions.
- To numerous bodily processes the sodium-potassium pump is significant, like neuron signaling, heart contractions, and kidney functions.
- If the sodium-potassium pump stopped working, the cell would also stop working because of the electrochemical gradient that would equalize or disappear, and as a result, the action potentials could not be generated.