Question

What is the biological importance of $N{a}^{+}$ and $K^{+}$ ions in cell fluids like blood plasma?

• A. They participate in transmission of nerve signals .
• B. They regulate the number of red and white blood corpuscles in the cell.
• C. They can be present in any amount in the blood since they are absorbed by the cells.
• D. They regulate the viscosity and colour of the blood.

Answer 1

The correct option is A They participate in transmission of nerve signals .

The process of moving sodium and potassium ions across the cell membrane is an active transport process involving the hydrolysis of ATP to provide the necessary energy. It involves an enzyme refer to as ${Na}^{+}/K^{+}-ATPase$. This process is responsible for maintaining the large excess of ${Na}^{+}$ outside the cell and the large excess of $K^{+}$ ions on the inside.

It accomplishes the transport of three ${Na}^{+}$ to the outside of the cell and the transport of two $K^{+}$ ions to the inside. This unbalanced charge transfer contributes to the separation of charge across the membrane. The sodium-potassium pump is an importance contributor to action potential produced by nerve cells.

The ${Na}^{+}$ and $K^{+}$ ions participate in the transmission of nerve signals.