sodium ion
Quick Summary
A sodium ion, denoted as Na⁺, is an atom of sodium that has lost an electron, giving it a positive electrical charge. Sodium is a chemical element, a soft, silvery-white metal belonging to the alkali metal group. It is the sixth most abundant element in Earth's crust and is found in compounds like sodium chloride (common salt).12
Sodium ions play a crucial role in biological systems, particularly in maintaining the balance of electrolytes inside and outside cells. This balance is essential for nerve impulses, where a sudden influx of sodium ions across the neuronal membrane triggers an action potential. The concentration of sodium ions is regulated by mechanisms like the sodium-potassium pump.34
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