Transport systems

When is the sodium potassium pump used?

In nerve cell signaling, heart contractions, and kidney functions.

What role does the sodium potassium pump play in the kidneys?

It helps maintain sodium and potassium balance, regulates blood pressure, and controls cardiac contractions.

What happens if the potassium pump fails?

It can result in swelling of the cell.

What conditions can arise from potassium imbalance?

Hyperkalemia and hypokalemia.

How can potassium levels be checked?

Through blood work.

What is aldosterone?

A corticosteroid hormone that stimulates sodium absorption by the kidney, regulating water and salt balance.

What happens if aldosterone levels are low?

It results in low sodium and potassium levels.

What is hyponatremia?

A condition of low blood sodium, common in older adults.

What are some signs of severe hyponatremia?

Change in personality, lethargy, confusion, seizures, coma, and even death.

What is hypernatremia?

A condition where sodium levels in blood are too high, often involving dehydration.

What are the functions of water in the body?

Transport of substances, maintaining cell structure, and participating in biochemical reactions.

What describes the structure of the cell membrane?

It is a fluid mosaic model with phosphate heads and fatty acid tails.

What does selectively permeable mean?

It allows certain molecules to pass through while blocking others.

What are the types of tonicity solutions?

Hypotonic, hypertonic, and isotonic.

What forms of bulk transport are mentioned?

Phagocytosis and pinocytosis.

What type of transport does the sodium potassium pump facilitate?

Active transport.

What is the significance of the sodium potassium pump in nervous tissue?

It is essential for maintaining the resting membrane potential for action potentials.

What is the relationship between aldosterone and potassium levels?

High aldosterone increases sodium absorption and narrows the potassium excretion.

What can severe hyponatremia lead to?

Seizures, coma, and even death.

What does tonicity affect?

The movement of water into and out of cells.

What is a characteristic of the lipid bilayer?

It is composed of two layers of phospholipids.

In what scenario would you expect high serum potassium levels?

High aldosterone levels with high sodium delivery to the distal tubule.

What does selective permeability allow in terms of transport?

It allows passive and active transport of nutrients and waste.

What symbol represents potassium in biological contexts?

K.

What role does water play in transporting gasses?

It assists in the diffusion of gases across membranes.

What is the main function of the sodium potassium pump?

To maintain the electrochemical gradient across cell membranes.

How does hypernatremia commonly develop?

Through dehydration which can occur from various causes.

What condition can excess potassium lead to?

Hyperkalemia, which can affect cardiac function.

What are the consequences of low blood sodium in a hospitalized patient?

It may manifest as confusion and changes in personality.

What types of substances can the sodium potassium pump move?

Sodium and potassium ions.

What type of cells require the sodium potassium pump to fire action potentials?

Nerve and muscle cells.

Why is active transport important for cells?

It allows for the movement of substances against their concentration gradient.