UPSC Civil Services (Mains), Chemistry optional · 2024 · Paper I
Q6(c)(i). The sodium pump and its role
Question
What is the 'sodium pump'? Explain the role of the sodium pump in biological systems.
Answer in brief
The sodium pump is the membrane enzyme Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase; with the energy of one ATP it moves three Na⁺ out of the cell and two K⁺ in, each against its concentration gradient.
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Coverssodium pumpNa⁺/K⁺-ATPaseactive transportmembrane potentialbioinorganic chemistry
All parts of Question 6
- 6(a)(i) Moles of HCl formed per joule absorbed at 480 nm10 marks
- 6(a)(ii) Molar extinction coefficient from 50 % transmission5 marks
- 6(b) Heterogeneous catalysis; PH₃ on tungsten15 marks
- 6(c)(i) The sodium pump and its role10 marks
- 6(c)(ii) Bohr effect; role of cytochrome P45010 marks