Sodium Potassium Pump on the Propagation of an Action Potential Research Paper

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Discussion

Sodium and potassium could be seen as the dynamic duo critical for normal functioning of several processes in the body. In addition to assessing the role the sodium-potassium pump plays in the propagation of an action potential, this text will also highlight both the pathophysiologic impact of hyperkalemia on the action potential as well as the resulting clinical manifestations.

The Role of the Sodium-Potassium Pump on the Propagation of an Action Potential

In essence, messages sent by axons, according to Kalat (2012), are referred to as action potentials. In the context of this discussion, therefore, action potential has got to do with the electrical potential changes as a consequence of impulse passage along a nerve cell’s membrane.

The generation of action potential is dependent upon active transport pumps as well as a number of positive transport channels. With regard to the sodium-potassium pump (which is essentially a carrier protein), it is important to note that it comes in handy in the regulation of the concentration of ion on the cell membrane’s both sides via the movement of potassium ions into the cell, and sodium ions out of the cell (Toole and Toole, 2004). As Kalat notes (2012), outside the membrane, there is often a higher concentration of sodium ions than inside.

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Similarly, there is a higher concentration of potassium ions inside the membrane, than outside the membrane (Kalat, 2012). Basically, “as an action potential occurs at one point of the axon, enough sodium enters to depolarize the next point to its threshold, producing an action potential at that point… behind each area of sodium entry, potassium ions exit, restoring the resting potential” (Kalat, 2012, p. 44).

The Pathophysiologic Impact of Hyperkalemia on the Action Potential and Resulting Clinical Manifestations

In the words of Mushiyakh, Dangaria, Qavi, Ali, Pannone and Tompkins (2012), “the basic pathophysiology of hyperkalemic states involves either extracellular potassium shifts or decreased renal excretion” (43). For purposes of this discussion, therefore, hyperkalemia will be taken to be the elevation of blood potassium levels. Towards this end, hyperkalemia could either be mild, moderate, or severe – with potassium levels across the three states varying from 5.1 mEq/L to 7.0mEq/L or in some instances, higher. The abnormal potassium distribution constitutes one of the common etiologies as far as hyperkalemia measurement is concerned (Mushiyakh et al., 2012). It is important to note that abnormal….....

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