The 20-21 min Ca++ Fe++ PhysTalk [Cheng Hwee Ming Whatsapp +60173728412]

Key Concepts /Principles in Physiology : The Trans-Membrane Sodium Gradient.

1. All living cells have a trans-membrane sodium gradient.

2. This gradient is directed inwards with sodium ECF concentration 10 x higher
than ICF sodium.
3. Because the inner side of the polarized cell membrane is negatively
charged, the full name is trans-membrane sodium electro-chemical (e-
chem) gradient.
4. This Na e-chem gradient is sustained by the cell membrane Na/ K ATPase
that pumps sodium cation out and maintains a low intracellular Na
concentration at around 14 mmol/L. ECF Na is around 140mmol/L.
5. Many physiological events in Physiology exploits this sodium trans-
membrane gradient. ‘No sodium gradient, no life!’
6. Sodium cations in the ECF can enter cells via its specific sodium ion
channels and these channels are gated or regulated (gated cellominium!)
7. Depending on the cell type, the sodium ion channels are gated by Voltage
(membrane potential ), Mechanical pressure, chemicals (ligand,
neurotransmitter) or light (in photoreception).
8. In excitable cells capable of generating an action potential, the
depolarization phase of the action potential is in most cases due to a
sudden sodium influx down its transmembrane gradient when the gated Na
channels are opened.
9. The Na e-chem gradient is also exploited in cell membrane transport
mechanisms of solutes either into the cells or out of the cells.
10. This is called sodium-coupled or linked transport, either symporter (into
the cells with sodium) or antiporter (out of the cells in exchange for sodium
influx). E.g. Glucose-Na symporter and H+- Na antiporter.
11. Since the Na gradient is established by the Na/ K ATPase membrane pump,
the sodium-coupled movement of solutes is described as secondary active
transport.