A mathematical model incorporating the electrogenic Na/K pump demonstrates that membrane voltage lowers internal chloride concentration to make osmotic room for vital sequestered substances.
An equation for membrane voltage is derived that takes into account the electrogenicity of the Na/K pump and is valid dynamically, as well as in the steady state. This equation is incorporated into a model for the osmotic stabilization of cells. The results emphasize the role of the pump and membrane voltage in lowering internal Cl(-) concentration, thus making osmotic room for vital substances that must be sequestered in the cell.
Clay M. Armstrong (2003) studied Osmotic stabilization of cells. Mathematical modeling was evaluated. A mathematical model incorporating the electrogenic Na/K pump demonstrates that membrane voltage lowers internal chloride concentration to make osmotic room for vital sequestered substances.