Question

which of the following are functions of sodium in the human body?
check all that apply
maintenance of acid - base balance
transmission of nerve impulses
transportation of small substances such as glucose and amino acids into cells
activation of enzymes and hormones necessary for energy metabolism
muscle contraction

Explanation:

Sodium helps in maintaining acid - base balance as it is part of buffer systems. It is involved in the generation and transmission of nerve impulses (action potential mechanism). Sodium - glucose and sodium - amino acid co - transport systems are present for transporting these substances into cells. Sodium is also important for muscle contraction as it is involved in the excitation - contraction coupling. However, sodium is not directly involved in the activation of enzymes and hormones for energy metabolism (this is more related to other minerals like magnesium, zinc etc. for some enzymes).

Answer:

Maintenance of acid - base balance, Transmission of nerve impulses, Transportation of small substances such as glucose and amino acids into cells, Muscle contraction.