The Sodium-Potassium Pump is Called an Electrogenic Pump Because It

Question

The sodium-potassium pump is called an electrogenic pump because it
A)pumps equal quantities of Na⁺ and K⁺ across the membrane.
B)pumps hydrogen ions out of the cell.
C)contributes to the membrane potential.
D)ionizes sodium and potassium atoms.
E)is used to drive the transport of other molecules against a concentration gradient.

Accepted Answer

The sodium-potassium pump contributes to the membrane potential by actively transporting three sodium ions out of the cell for every two potassium ions pumped into the cell. This creates an electrochemical gradient across the membrane, which helps to maintain the resting potential of the cell.