Table of contents

1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology5h 43m
2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components12h 36m
3. Energy & Cell Processes10h 6m
4. Tissues & Histology10h 3m
5. Integumentary System2h 20m
6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue2h 16m
7. The Skeletal System2h 35m
8. Joints2h 17m
9. Muscle Tissue2h 33m
10. Muscles1h 11m
11. Nervous Tissue and Nervous System1h 35m
12. The Central Nervous System1h 6m
- Introduction to the Central Nervous System
  18m
- The Cerebrum
  48m
13. The Peripheral Nervous System1h 26m
14. The Autonomic Nervous System1h 38m
15. The Special Senses2h 41m
16. The Endocrine System2h 48m
17. The Blood3h 22m
18. The Heart3h 42m
19. The Blood Vessels3h 35m
20. The Lymphatic System3h 16m
21. The Immune System14h 37m
22. The Respiratory System3h 20m
23. The Digestive System2h 5m
24. Metabolism and Nutrition4h 0m
25. The Urinary System2h 39m
26. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Acid Base Balance37m
27. The Reproductive System2h 5m
28. Human Development1h 21m
29. Heredity3h 32m

2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components

Types of Membrane Proteins

Anatomy & Physiology

2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components

Types of Membrane Proteins

Previous problemNext problem

4:37 minutes

Problem 17

Textbook Question

Comment on the role of the sodium-potassium pump in maintaining a cell's resting membrane potential.

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of resting membrane potential: The resting membrane potential is the electrical charge difference across the cell membrane when the cell is not actively sending signals. Typically, this is around -70 mV in neurons, with the inside of the cell being more negative compared to the outside.

Recognize the role of ion gradients: The sodium-potassium pump (Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase) actively transports ions across the cell membrane to maintain specific concentration gradients. Sodium (Na⁺) is pumped out of the cell, while potassium (K⁺) is pumped into the cell, both against their concentration gradients.

Examine the pump's mechanism: The sodium-potassium pump uses ATP to move 3 Na⁺ ions out of the cell and 2 K⁺ ions into the cell per cycle. This creates an unequal distribution of ions, contributing to the negative charge inside the cell relative to the outside.

Understand how the pump maintains the resting potential: The pump helps maintain the resting membrane potential by ensuring that the concentration gradients of Na⁺ and K⁺ are preserved. These gradients are essential for the passive movement of ions through leak channels, which further stabilizes the resting potential.

Connect the pump's activity to cellular function: The sodium-potassium pump is crucial for maintaining the resting membrane potential, which is necessary for processes like nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction. Without this pump, the cell would lose its ability to regulate electrical signals effectively.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above

Video duration:

Play a video:

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Sodium-Potassium Pump

The sodium-potassium pump is a vital membrane protein that actively transports sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell. This process requires energy in the form of ATP, as it moves ions against their concentration gradients. By maintaining a higher concentration of potassium inside the cell and a higher concentration of sodium outside, the pump plays a crucial role in establishing the electrochemical gradient necessary for various cellular functions.

Resting Membrane Potential

Resting membrane potential refers to the electrical potential difference across the plasma membrane of a cell when it is not actively transmitting signals. Typically around -70 mV in neurons, this potential is primarily determined by the distribution of ions, particularly sodium and potassium, across the membrane. The sodium-potassium pump contributes to this potential by ensuring that the inside of the cell remains more negative relative to the outside, which is essential for the excitability of neurons and muscle cells.

Electrochemical Gradient

The electrochemical gradient is the combined effect of the concentration gradient and the electrical gradient of ions across a membrane. It influences the movement of ions into and out of the cell, driving processes such as action potentials in neurons. The sodium-potassium pump helps maintain this gradient by regulating ion concentrations, which is critical for cellular activities, including signal transmission and muscle contraction.

Watch next

Master Types of Membrane Proteins with a bite sized video explanation from Bruce Bryan

Start learning