Can You Calculate Passive Sodium Current from Active Potassium Current?

  • Thread starter Thread starter higherme
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Membrane Pump
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the passive sodium current (I(Na)) from the active potassium current (I'(K)) in an electrogenic pump scenario. Given that the active current of sodium is 30 E-9 A, the active current of potassium is determined to be 20 E-9 A using the ratio of 3:2. The conclusion drawn is that the passive sodium current is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the active sodium current, resulting in a passive current of -30 E-9 A.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrogenic pumps and their mechanisms
  • Knowledge of current flow in biological systems
  • Familiarity with the concept of steady state in cellular environments
  • Basic grasp of ionic concentrations and their effects on membrane potential
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the Nernst equation for calculating equilibrium potentials of ions
  • Explore the role of electrogenic pumps in cellular physiology
  • Investigate the relationship between active and passive transport mechanisms
  • Learn about the implications of ion currents on action potentials in neurons
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for students in physiology, biophysics researchers, and anyone interested in the dynamics of ion currents in cellular systems.

higherme
Messages
126
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A pump is electrogenic, meaning that 3 Na ions are pumped in for 2 K ions that pumps out. Given that the active current --> I' (Na) 30 E-9 , find the passive current of Na --> I (Na). Assume cell is in steady state so Vm, [Na] inside and [K] inside is constant.


Homework Equations



passive current Na/passive current K = active current Na/ active current of K = 3/2

Is it possible to find a value for passive Na current if I don't know the passive current of K?

I' (Na) / I' (K) = 3/2
30 E-9 / I' (K) = 3/2
I' (K) =2 E-8 , so this is the active current of K+ ion. I don't get how I can use this to find the passive current of Na
 
Physics news on Phys.org
actually, would this be right

the passive current of Na is the same as the active current of Na... same magnitude, but different direction. So since give active current is +30E-9... then I don't even need any equations to find the passive current of Na because it's simply the same but negative --> - 30E-9

is this correct ?
 

Similar threads

Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
19K
Replies
7
Views
7K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
27K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
11K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
6K
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K