Question

What's the role of Na+/K+-ATPase versus voltage gated Na+ & K+ channels?

Answer 1

sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase is also known as the sodium-potassium pump is a plasma membrane transporter.it transports sodium out of the cell and potassium into the cell against their concentration gradient. In a cycle of the pump, three sodium ions are extruded from and two potassium ions are imported into the cell, it is responsible for maintaining membrane potential at -70mv.

voltage-gated potassium channels are transmembrane channels specific for potassium and sensitive to voltage changes in the cell's membrane potential. during action potentials, they play a crucial role in returning the depolarised cell to a resting state. A set of voltage-gated potassium channels open, allowing potassium to rush out of the cell down its electrochemical gradient. these events rapidly decrease membrane potential, bringing it back to its normal resting state.

voltage-gated sodium channels play a crucial role in action potential.if enough channels open when there is a change in cell's membrane potential, a small but significant number of sodium ions will move into the cll down their electrochemical gradient , further depolarising cell.

voltage-gated channels are transmembrane proteins that form ion channels that are activated by changes in the electrical potential near the channels.