The sodium potassium pump (Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase) is an essential membrane protein found in the plasma membrane of animal cells. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the cell's electrochemical gradient by actively transporting three sodium ions out of the cell and two potassium ions into the cell against their concentration gradients. This process is vital for numerous cellular functions, including nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and maintaining cellular homeostasis.
