CATION PUMP Meaning and
Definition
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A cation pump refers to a specialized type of membrane protein involved in active transport, specifically the movement of cations across a cell membrane against their concentration gradient. This process requires energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Cations are positively charged ions, such as sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), and calcium (Ca2+).
Cation pumps are vital for numerous cellular processes, including maintaining appropriate ion concentrations and generating electrical potentials across cell membranes. They play a crucial role in establishing and maintaining the electrochemical gradients essential for proper cell function.
The functioning of a cation pump involves several steps. Firstly, ATP is hydrolyzed, producing adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and inorganic phosphate (Pi), releasing energy. This energy is then used to transport cations against their concentration gradient across the cell membrane. The specific cation and direction of transport vary depending on the type of cation pump. For example, the sodium-potassium pump transports three sodium ions out of the cell and two potassium ions into the cell for each ATP molecule hydrolyzed.
Cation pumps are found in various cell types, including nerve cells, muscle cells, and secretory cells. They are essential for proper nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and secretion of various substances. Dysfunction or impairment of cation pumps can lead to various physiological and pathological conditions, including neurological disorders and cardiovascular diseases.
Common Misspellings for CATION PUMP
- xation pump
- vation pump
- fation pump
- dation pump
- cztion pump
- cstion pump
- cwtion pump
- cqtion pump
- carion pump
- cafion pump
- cagion pump
- cayion pump
- ca6ion pump
- ca5ion pump
- catuon pump
- catjon pump
- catkon pump
- catoon pump
- cat9on pump
- cat8on pump
Etymology of CATION PUMP
The word "cation pump" combines two different terms: "cation" and "pump".
The term "cation" comes from the Greek word "katíōn", which means "going down". It is derived from the Greek word "katá", meaning "down", and the suffix "-ion", indicating a particle or ion. Cations are positively charged ions, meaning they have lost electrons from their outer shells, resulting in a net positive charge.
The word "pump" comes from the Old English word "pumpian", which means "to pump water". It is also related to the Middle Dutch word "pompen" and the Low German word "pumpen". Ultimately, the origins of the word "pump" can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "pumpōną", which means "to swell" or "to bubble up".
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