Could not find any sources talking about this (in a clear manner). If the Na+ / K+ ATPase pumps 3 Na+ out for every 2 K+ it pumps in, thus making the cell more negative, why is the Na+ / K+ ATPase used to restore resting membrane potential following hyperpolarization? Wouldn't that must make the cell more negative, which is the opposite of what we want?
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$\begingroup$ The Na+ / K+ ATPase is not "used to restore resting membrane potential following hyperpolarization", it is used to maintain the concentration gradient of sodium and potassium. $\endgroup$– Bryan Krause ♦Jul 25, 2020 at 1:04
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$\begingroup$ @BryanKrause: How are the concentrations of Na+ and K+ outside / inside the cell rebalanced after hyperpolarization then? $\endgroup$– AllyJul 25, 2020 at 1:15
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$\begingroup$ Try also biology.stackexchange.com/questions/76166/… biology.stackexchange.com/questions/57064/… biology.stackexchange.com/questions/66166/… in addition to the marked duplicate biology.stackexchange.com/questions/77919/… $\endgroup$– Bryan Krause ♦Jul 25, 2020 at 1:17
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$\begingroup$ The sodium-potassium pump does keep the concentrations of Na+ and K+ constant in the long term, but that's not necessary for transient changes like you get from receptor activation or action potentials, those are governed by opening and closing of passive ion channels. $\endgroup$– Bryan Krause ♦Jul 25, 2020 at 1:18
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