Question

How does the sodium-potassium pump work?

Answer 1

Working of Sodium-Potassium pump :

1. Active transport is used by the sodium-potassium pump to transport molecules from a higher concentration to a lower concentration.
2. The sodium-potassium pump drives potassium ions into the cell and sodium ions out of it.
3. ATP fuels the pump in this system.
4. Three sodium ions leave the body and two potassium ions enter for every ATP that is destroyed.
5. The shape of the pump is altered by the binding of sodium ions and the attachment of an ATP phosphate group.
6. The pump now binds two potassium ions and releases the three sodium ions in its altered configuration.
7. The phosphate group separates after the potassium ions are attached to the pump.
8. The two potassium ions are then released into the cytoplasm by the pump as a result.