Biological Importance Of Sodium And Potassium
Chapter Name : The S- Block Elements |
Sub Topic Code : 102_11_10_06_01 |
Topic Name : Biological Importance Of Sodium And Potassium |
|
Sub Topic Name : Biological Importance Of Sodium And Potassium |
|
Introduction
• Sodium ions are found primarily on the outside of cells, being located in blood plasma and in the interstitial fluid which surrounds the cells. • These ions participate in: • transmission of nerve signals, • regulating the flow of water across cell membranes and • transport of sugars and amino acids into cells. • Sodium and potassium, although so similar chemically, differ quantitatively in their ability to penetrate cell membranes, in their transport mechanisms and in their efficiency to activate enzymes. • Potassium ions are the most abundant cations within cell fluids, where they activate many enzymes, participate in the oxidation of glucose to produce ATP and, with sodium, are responsible for the transmission of nerve signals.
Pre-Requisites:
Alkali metals, sodium, potassium
Activity:
Nerve impulse conduction, Sodium is a primary ingredient of common salt.
Real Life Question:
How do nerve impulses work?
Key Words / FlashCards
| Key Words | Definitions (pref. in our own words) |
|---|---|
| Alkali metals | • Group 1 elements |
Learning aids / Gadgets
| Gadgets | How it can be used |
|---|---|
| needle | Prick your finger with a needle lightly. See how the nerve impulse travels through and reaches the brain detecting pain. Sodium calcium and Potassium ions play a major role in nerve impulse conduction. |
Real life uses :
Nerve impulse conduction.
Places to visit :
Kitchen.
Practical examples around us
| Examples | Explainations |
|---|---|
| salt | Salt contains sodium. |
What you learn in Theory:
• Sodium ions are found primarily on the outside of cells, being located in blood plasma and in the interstitial fluid which surrounds the cells. • These ions participate in: • transmission of nerve signals, • regulating the flow of water across cell membranes. • transport of sugars and amino acids into cells. • Sodium and potassium, although so similar chemically, differ quantitatively in their ability to penetrate cell membranes, in their transport mechanisms and in their efficiency to activate enzymes. • Potassium ions are the most abundant cations within cell fluids, where they activate many enzymes, participate in the oxidation of glucose to produce ATP and, with sodium, are responsible for the transmission of nerve signals.
What you learn in Practice:
• Sodium and potassium ions have very high biological importance.