Importance of Sodium-Potassium
Do you know why your diet contains more potassium and sodium than iron and copper? It is because the content of potassium and sodium in humans is more so the focus goes to these elements. These compounds work as a power supply to the cell. They act as interacting mediums to transmit information such as blinking of an eye, flexing of muscle, and more. These neurotransmitters carry the instructions to the brain which gives the command to perform an activity. The required amount of potassium and sodium in humans should be 5 mmol-1 and 143 mmol-1 respectively. These ions are used by neurons to transmit important information. The percentage of the ions differs on both sides of the cell membrane.
Function of Sodium and Potassium
Sodium ions are basically found inside the human nerve cells. They are responsible for water regulation across the membrane. They are sugar and amino acid carriers and transport them directly to the cells. It helps in maintaining electrolyte balance in the human body.
On the other hand, potassium ion is found inside the cell membrane and helps in maintaining the osmolarity level of the cell. They also control the basic functions of stomata like opening and closing. Potassium ions act as a cofactor for pyruvate kinase. It is also vital for healthy heart functioning and in the contraction of muscle and skeleton.
Sodium-Potassium pump is a form of ATP that is found in the plasma membrane of animal cells.
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Organic Use of Sodium
Sodium ions are found at the surface of cells in the interstitial fluids and blood plasma. It acts as a surrounding to the cell and generally transmits information to the brain. They also transport sugar and amino acids to the cell for proper functioning.
Some Other Uses of Sodium
It is used in the manufacturing of dyes and dye subsidiaries
Sodium is used in the polymerization of unsaturated hydrocarbons and purification of hydrocarbons
In various organic applications, it is used in the aspect of dispersion in hydrocarbon liquid media.
It is also used in synthesizing perfumes.
Organic Use of Potassium
Potassium ions are present in the cell fluid and are basically actions. It is responsible for the transmission of information and is used to activate the oxidation of sugar and enzymes.
Other Uses of Potassium
Potassium is extensively used in fertilizers.
Potassium salts are used in various fields like potassium carbonate is used in making glass, potassium hydroxide is used in manufacturing liquid-based soap and detergent.
Potassium is also used in saline drips and drugs.
Solved Example
Q. Write the Biological Importance of Sodium?
Ans:
Sodium ions are responsible for maintaining the electrolyte level in the human body.
They are the prime carriers of amino acids and sugar into the cell.
Sodium ions are found in the nerve cell and regulate the flow of water across the cell membrane
Q. What are the Functions of Sodium in the Human Body?
Ans:
Potassium helps in the functioning of the heart
It is also responsible for the skeleton and muscular contraction
It also retains the osmolarity of the cell
Low potassium level leads to hypertension
Potassium is vital to maintain electrolyte balance in the body.
Q. Which Human Organ System Depends on the Na-K Pump?
Ans:
In the kidney, this pump helps to maintain sodium and potassium level
It plays a key role in regulating blood sugar.
It monitors cardiac contractions and prevents heart issues.
If the Na-K pump fails, it can lead to swelling of the cell.
FAQs on Organic Uses of Sodium and Potassium
1. What is the biological importance of sodium and potassium in the human body?
Sodium (Na⁺) and potassium (K⁺) ions are vital electrolytes with several critical biological functions. Their primary importance lies in:
- Nerve Impulse Transmission: They create the electrical potential across nerve cell membranes required for transmitting signals throughout the nervous system.
- Fluid Balance Regulation: They help maintain the correct osmotic balance and blood pressure by controlling the amount of water in and around cells.
- Muscle Contraction: The movement of these ions is essential for the contraction and relaxation of muscle fibres, including the heart muscle.
- Active Transport: They power the transport of other molecules, like glucose and amino acids, into cells.
2. How does the sodium-potassium pump work in a cell?
The sodium-potassium pump is a form of active transport that moves ions against their concentration gradient. The process occurs in several steps:
- Three sodium ions (Na⁺) from inside the cell bind to the pump protein.
- This binding triggers the breakdown of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) into ADP, releasing energy.
- The energy causes the pump protein to change shape, releasing the three Na⁺ ions outside the cell.
- Two potassium ions (K⁺) from outside the cell then bind to the newly shaped pump.
- This binding causes the pump to revert to its original shape, releasing the two K⁺ ions inside the cell.
This cycle continuously maintains a high concentration of potassium and a low concentration of sodium inside the cell.
3. What is the specific role of sodium and potassium ions in transmitting nerve impulses?
Sodium and potassium ions are central to nerve impulse transmission by creating action potentials. In a resting neuron, the sodium-potassium pump establishes a higher concentration of K⁺ inside and Na⁺ outside. When a nerve is stimulated, voltage-gated sodium channels open, allowing Na⁺ ions to rush into the cell, a process called depolarisation. This creates the electrical spike of the action potential. Immediately after, sodium channels close and potassium channels open, allowing K⁺ ions to rush out, which re-establishes the resting state in a process called repolarisation. This wave of depolarisation and repolarisation travels along the axon as a nerve impulse.
4. Why are different concentrations of sodium and potassium maintained inside and outside of cells?
Maintaining different concentrations of sodium (low inside, high outside) and potassium (high inside, low outside) is crucial for creating an electrochemical gradient across the cell membrane. This gradient, also known as the membrane potential, is a form of stored energy. It is essential for several cellular processes, most notably for the excitability of nerve and muscle cells. Without this gradient, cells would be unable to generate action potentials for nerve communication or muscle contraction and could not power the transport of other essential nutrients.
5. How does the difference in ionic size between sodium (Na⁺) and potassium (K⁺) influence their distinct biological roles?
The difference in ionic size is a key factor in their selective transport and function. The potassium ion (K⁺) has a larger ionic radius than the sodium ion (Na⁺). This size difference allows transport proteins, like the sodium-potassium pump and ion channels, to be highly selective. For instance, the channels and pump are structured in a way that the smaller, more highly-hydrated Na⁺ ion fits perfectly for transport out of the cell, while the larger, less-hydrated K⁺ ion fits the binding sites that transport it into the cell. This precise ionic selectivity, based on size and hydration energy, is fundamental to establishing the specific ion gradients required for life.
6. What are some key examples of how sodium and potassium are used in organic chemistry reactions?
Beyond their biological roles, sodium and potassium are important reagents in organic synthesis. Some key examples include:
- Wurtz Reaction: Metallic sodium is used to couple two alkyl halides to form a higher alkane.
- Reducing Agent: Sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) is a common and selective reducing agent used to convert aldehydes and ketones into alcohols.
- Birch Reduction: Metallic sodium or potassium dissolved in liquid ammonia is used to reduce aromatic rings.
- Base for Eliminations: Potassium tert-butoxide (t-BuOK), a bulky base, is frequently used to promote E2 elimination reactions to form alkenes.
