How many sodium ions are transported across the cell membrane through a sodium-potassium pump?

How many sodium ions are transported across the cell membrane through a sodium-potassium pump? Correct Answer Three

The correct answer is Three.

Key Points

• Three sodium ions are transported across the cell membrane through a sodium-potassium pump.
• The Sodium-Potassium pump is also known as the Na+/K+ pump or Na+/K+-ATPase.
• This is a protein pump found in the cell membrane of neurons (and other animal cells).
• It acts to transport sodium and potassium ions across the cell membrane in a ratio of 3 sodium ions out for every 2 potassium ions brought in. 

​Important PointsHow is sodium transported in the body?

• Sodium ions pass through specific channels in the hydrophobic barrier formed by membrane proteins.
• This means of crossing the membrane is called facilitated diffusion because the diffusion across the membrane is facilitated by the channel.