Q. How does the sodium-potassium pump present in the cell membrane work? What is the significance of this protein for the cell?
The sodium-potassium pump is the transport protein that retains the concentration gradient of these ions between the extracellular and the intra spaces. This protein is phosphorylated in each pumping cycle and then it puts two potassium ions inwards and pumps three sodium ions outside the cell. The phosphorylation is made by the binding of a phosphate donated by one ATP molecule that then is converted into ADP adenosine diphosphate.
The job of the sodium-potassium pump, also recognized as sodium-potassium ATPase, is basic to keep the characteristic negative electrical charge in the intracellular side of the membrane of the resting cell and to create adequate conditions of sodium and potassium concentrations inside and outside the cell to maintain the cellular metabolism.