Active Transport of Sodium and Potassium Ions

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Abstract
Much of the metabolic energy produced by the body is used to establish high intracellular concentrations of potassium (K+) and low concentrations of sodium (Na+), the reverse of the relative concentrations of these ions in the extracellular fluids. The extrusion of sodium requires its movement against a gradient of concentration (higher outside than inside) and electrical potential (inside about 70 mV more negative than outside); work is therefore needed to overcome this electrochemical gradient. The transmembrane pumping of sodium and potassium that establishes these gradients has been studied intensively and is among the best understood membrane transport processes. . . .