The Purpose of the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase Pump in the Neuronal Membrane

Question

The purpose of the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pump in the neuronal membrane is to
A) depolarize the membrane.
B) repolarize the membrane.
C) establish the Na+ and K+ gradients necessary for the development of an action potential.
D) secrete myelin.

Accepted Answer

The Na+/K+ ATPase pump is responsible for actively transporting 3 Na+ ions out of the cell and 2 K+ ions into the cell, establishing the ion concentration gradients necessary for the development of an action potential. Therefore, it does not depolarize or repolarize the membrane, nor does it secrete myelin.