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Sodium-Potassium Pump Importance in Neurotransmission

A. Maintaining osmotic balance
B. Generating action potentials
C. Facilitating synaptic transmission
D. Regulating blood pressure

User Madiyar
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The sodium-potassium pump is essential for generating action potentials in neurotransmission, maintaining an electrochemical gradient by using ATP to transport ions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The sodium-potassium pump is crucial in neurotransmission because it helps maintain the resting membrane potential necessary for generating action potentials. By actively transporting three sodium ions out of the neuron and two potassium ions into the neuron, the pump creates an electrochemical gradient. This gradient is vital for the action potential to occur, which is the electrical signal that travels along the neuron and is fundamental for synaptic transmission. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question, regarding the importance of the sodium-potassium pump in neurotransmission, is primarily 'B. Generating action potentials.' This process is essential for the propagation of nerve impulses, and it heavily relies on the energy from ATP to function.

User Noahnu
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