Saturday, October 19, 2013

The Na+,K+-ATPase Pump

How do you remember the function of the Na+,K+-ATPase pump?

Remember it this way:

3 Na+, out. ('out' has 3 letters)
2 K+, in. ('in' has 2 letters)

If that isn't feasible for you.. Remember when a cell experiences anoxia, cellular swelling can occur as a result of necrosis? Cellular swelling here occurs due to the accumulation of Na+ (& subsequently, water as well) in the cell.

This is simply explained as follows: anoxia leads to the lack of intracellular ATP, therefore failure of the Na+,K+-ATPase pump, therefore Na+ accumulates. (this shows that in normal states, Na+ is supposed to be pumped? OUT!)

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