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What is the mechanism of a sodium-potassium pump?
Posted July 24, 2023
ATPCellular Structures and OrganellesEnzymesMembrane Potential and ChannelsPlasma Membraneion channel
Answer
A sodium-potassium pump is an enzyme found in the membrane of most cells. It is a way to transport sodium and potassium ions across the cell membrane, against their concentration gradient (low to high concentration). The mechanism of a sodium-potassium pump is as follows:
- 3 Sodium ions bind the the pump.
- ATP binds to the pump and is hydrolyzed.
- The pump is phosphorylated which leads to a conformational change in the pump.
- The 3 Sodium ions are released into the extracellular region.
- 2 Potassium ions bind to the pump.
- Dephosphorylation of the pump changes the pump to its original conformation.
- The 2 Potassium ions are released into the cell.
