ion pump

An ion pump is a type of protein found in cell membranes that moves ions across the membrane. This process requires energy, often derived from the hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).12

A key example is the sodium-potassium pump, which maintains higher concentrations of potassium ions inside cells and higher concentrations of sodium ions outside cells. This is crucial for cell function, including establishing resting potentials in nerve cells. Other ion pumps, like those for calcium, also create significant concentration gradients across the cell membrane, essential for cellular processes. These pumps are vital for active transport, moving substances against their concentration gradients to maintain cellular homeostasis.123