What is Sodium Potassium Pump - Coursework Example

Sodium Potassium Pump Sodium-potassium pump, also known as sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase, Na+ /K+ -ATPaseor Na+/K+ pump is a type of enzyme known as antiporter-like enzyme situated in the plasma membrane of the cells of every animal (Mary 23). Located strategically on the plasma membrane of a cell and just as the name of the enzyme suggests sodium potassium pump thrusts potassium into the cells of the animals while pumping out sodium out of the cells. While the enzymes perform the antiporter like function, they are not actual antiporter since the molecules it pumps in both directions flow against their gradient of concentration.

In doing this, the enzyme performs fundamental functions that help maintain the life of the cell. The functions include regulating cellular volume by permitting the flow of both potassium and sodium in and out of the cell. The enzyme also maintains the resting potential of the cell and the transportation within the cells.Sodium-potassium pump regulates the cell volume through by pumping sodium out of the cell and potassium into the cell. The failure of such a vital function would cause swellings of the cells.

By enhancing the flow of the two minerals in an out of the cell, the enzyme helps maintain the cells osmolarity, which is the totality of the concentration of organic compounds, proteins and ion species in the cell (Mary 33). Additionally, by pumping sodium out of the cells, the enzymes provide adequate force for other membrane transport proteins. This helps in the transportation of amino acids, glucose and other nutrients into the cells. In doing this, the transport proteins exploit the sodium gradient created by the sodium-potassium pump.

Work citedMary, Baumberger-Henry. Quick Look Nursing: Fluid and Electrolytes. New York: Jones & Bartlett Pub, 2005. Print.