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sodium pump

noun

Definition of sodium pump

1 : a molecular mechanism by which sodium ions are transferred across a cell membrane by active transport especially : one that is controlled by a specialized plasma membrane protein by which a high concentration of potassium ions and a low concentration of sodium ions are maintained within a cell
2 : the specialized plasma membrane protein that controls the sodium pump mechanism

First Known Use of sodium pump

1951, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for sodium pump

sodium pump

noun

Medical Definition of sodium pump

1 : a molecular mechanism by which sodium ions move across a cell membrane by active transport especially : one by which a high concentration of potassium ions and a low concentration of sodium ions are maintained within a cell and that is controlled by a specialized plasma membrane protein linking the hydrolysis of ATP to the active transport of intracellular sodium ions out of the cell and extracellular potassium ions into the cell to create an electrical and chemical gradient across the cell membrane necessary for vital cell functions (as nerve cell excitation and cell volume regulation)
2 : the specialized cell membrane protein that controls the sodium pump mechanism

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