Comment on the role of the sodium-potassium pump in maintaining a
cell?s resting membrane potential. (minimum 3 sentences)

Dear jgandg-ga;

Thank you for allowing me to answer your interesting question. Here?s
a little background on the ?resting? state:

?When a neurone is not sending a signal, it is at ?rest?. The membrane
is responsible for the different events that occur in a neurone. All
animal cell membranes contain a protein pump called the
sodium-potassium pump  (Na+K+ATPase). This uses the energy from ATP
splitting to simultaneously pump 3 sodium ions out of the cell and 2
potassium ions in.?

Here?s the simplest explanation I could find (and with some fantastic
animated diagrams to help make the point, I might add):

?Three sodium ions from inside the cell first bind to the transport
protein. Then a phosphate group is transferred from ATP to the
transport protein causing it to change shape and release the sodium
ions outside the cell. Two potassium ions from outside the cell then
bind to the transport protein and as the phospate is removed, the
protein assumes its original shape and releases the potassium ions
inside the cell.?

NERVE IMPULSES
http://www.biologymad.com/NervousSystem/nerveimpulses.htm

This resumption of its original shape and the release of the potassium
ions inside the cell is what is referred to as the ?resting? state.

I hope you find that my answer exceeds your expectations. If you have
any questions about my research please post a clarification request
prior to rating the answer. Otherwise I welcome your rating and your
final comments and I look forward to working with you again in the
near future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.

Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga ? Google Answers Researcher



INFORMATION SOURCES



SEARCH STRATEGY


SEARCH ENGINE USED:

Google ://www.google.com


SEARCH TERMS USED:


SODIUM-POTASSIUM PUMP

CELL

RESTING MEMBRANE

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Clarification of Answer by tutuzdad-ga on 02 Nov 2006 09:36 PST

Here's another great site with cool graphics to help explain the process:

GET BODY SMART
http://www.getbodysmart.com/ap/nervoussystem/neurophysiology/restingpotentials/menu/menu.html

http://www.getbodysmart.com/ap/nervoussystem/neurophysiology/restingpotentials/na_kpump/tutorial.html

tutuzdad-ga

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Request for Answer Clarification by jgandg-ga on 02 Nov 2006 09:49 PST

Hi there!

Just one question - are the quotes b/c you are quoting from a source?

Thanks!

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Clarification of Answer by tutuzdad-ga on 02 Nov 2006 09:57 PST

Indeed they are. You will note that our service discourages and may
remove homework help if it directly answers homework questions. To
attemmpt to avoid this unfortunate occurance I have pointed out
sources that I believe will aid you in answering your OWN QUESTION.
See what I mean? If I answer directly, your questions will be pulled.
If I point you to the source, you can formulate yor own answer by
studying the material provided and everyone will be happy.

tutuzdad-ga

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Request for Answer Clarification by jgandg-ga on 02 Nov 2006 10:02 PST

Gotcha. Thank you. This is very helpful.

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Clarification of Answer by tutuzdad-ga on 02 Nov 2006 10:08 PST

You bet

Very helpful, reliable sources used.