Na/K Pump

[meliora27]

I was looking at some videos online of the Na/K pump and why is it that ATP is not always involved? Is this an oversight. I was under the impression that 3 Na molecules and an ATP bind to the carrier protein in order to pump the 3 Na out of the cell (ATP will be broken down to ADP and Pi) however some animations just show the flow of 3Na out and 2K in without any reference to active transport? I'm really confused now. Can someone clarify this for me? Am I right that wrt to voltage gated sodium channels, active transport IS involved in the Na/K pump? Thanks so much!

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[matth87]

ATP is cleaved and 3Na+ Pumped Out / 2K+ Pumped In.

They are being pumped against their gradients, you need energy to do this.