Na-K Pump

RMP & Action Potential

Dr. Sahriar Mahfuz Piyas
FCPS (Facial Surgery)
Na+-K+ Pump
• The Na+-K+ pump is the most important AT mechanism in the body
and one of the major energy using process in the body.

• Movement of 3 Na+ ions from inside to outside the cell with

simultaneous movement of 2K+ ions from outside to inside by splitting
ATP is called Na+-K+ pump.
• The interior portion of the carrier protein has 3 binding sites for Na".
Exterior portion has 2 binding sites for K. That is why 3 Na & 2K
move at a time

• Inside portion of the carrier protein has got ATPase activity (Na- K
ATPase), which split ATP to ADP & Pi in the ++ presence of Mg ion.
Resting Membrane Potential
• It is the potential difference across the
membrane in resting stage.
• Potential difference is negative inside the
cell relative to outside.
• Causes of Resting membrane potential:
i. Na+-K+ Pump
ii. Presence of negatively charged macromolecule inside the cell
• Ions are electrically-charged molecules e.g. sodium (Na+), potassium
(K+), chloride (Cl-).
• The resting potential exists because ions are concentrated on different
sides of the membrane.
• Na+ and Cl- outside the cell.
• K+ and organic anions inside the cell.
Action Potential
• Rapid changes in membrane potential towards positivity and
restoration of RMP again is termed as Action potential
• Stage of Action potential
Resting stage
Depolarization stage
Repolarization stage
Hyperpolarization stage
Action Potential