Sodium Potassium Pump

A specific type of active transport Sodium Potassium Pumps are composed of 2 subunits The alpha subunit does the most action in the pair. -It binds ATP and both sodium and potassium ions, and contains the phosphorylation site The smaller beta subunit is absolutely necessary for activity of the complex. -It appears to be critical in facilitating the plasma membrane localization and activation of the alpha subunit. Na+ K+ pumps creates both an electrical and chemical …

…the cell, causing it to swell and ultimately burst. With inadequate potassium, cellular wastes are not efficiently transported out. Toxic materials are left to accumulate in the cell that can cause premature cell death. The NA+ K+ pump is particularly important to muscle and nerve cells. During nerve transmissions and muscle contractions, potassium exits the cell and sodium enter, which results in an electrical charge change. This change causes a nerve impulse or muscle contraction.