What is the purpose of the sodium-potassium pump in neurons?

What is the purpose of the sodium-potassium pump in neurons?

• A. To increase the action potential
• B. To maintain resting membrane potential
• C. To facilitate neurotransmitter release
• D. To promote calcium influx

Answer: (B)

The sodium-potassium pump plays a crucial role in maintaining the resting membrane potential of neurons. This pump actively transports sodium ions out of the neuron and potassium ions into the neuron, typically moving three sodium ions out for every two potassium ions it brings in. This action helps to create and maintain a concentration gradient where the inside of the neuron is more negative relative to the outside. At rest, a neuron has a high concentration of potassium ions inside and a high concentration of sodium ions outside. This gradient is essential for the neuron's ability to generate action potentials. By maintaining the resting membrane potential, the sodium-potassium pump ensures that the neuron is primed and ready to fire when stimulated, allowing for effective communication and signaling within the nervous system. Maintaining the resting membrane potential also prevents excessive depolarization and helps stabilize the overall excitability of the neuron, ensuring that electrical signals are transmitted reliably.

The sodium-potassium pump plays a crucial role in maintaining the resting membrane potential of neurons. This pump actively transports sodium ions out of the neuron and potassium ions into the neuron, typically moving three sodium ions out for every two potassium ions it brings in. This action helps to create and maintain a concentration gradient where the inside of the neuron is more negative relative to the outside.

At rest, a neuron has a high concentration of potassium ions inside and a high concentration of sodium ions outside. This gradient is essential for the neuron's ability to generate action potentials. By maintaining the resting membrane potential, the sodium-potassium pump ensures that the neuron is primed and ready to fire when stimulated, allowing for effective communication and signaling within the nervous system.

Maintaining the resting membrane potential also prevents excessive depolarization and helps stabilize the overall excitability of the neuron, ensuring that electrical signals are transmitted reliably.