As described in your text and in lecture, the cells of your body have Na+-K+-ATP
ID: 6300 • Letter: A
Question
As described in your text and in lecture, the cells of your body have Na+-K+-ATPases,which use energy from ATP to pump Na+ out of the cell and K+ into the cell. One
result of this is that there is an electrochemical gradient of Na+ ions
across the plasma membrane, with more Na+ outside than inside the cell.
-->given this gradient, in which direction will Na+ ions move spontaneously?
-->if they would move spontaneously in one direction, why don’t they quickly come
to equilibrium, with roughly equal concentration on each side
of the plasma membrane?
Explanation / Answer
If there is MORE Na (sodium) OUTSIDE of the cell, and less INSIDE the cell, there's an established gradient (the concentrations are NOT equal)Outside> High Inside> Low Thereby, High>> Low Outside>> Inside (INTO cell)
Outside> High Inside> Low Thereby, High>> Low Outside>> Inside (INTO cell)
Outside> High Inside> Low Thereby, High>> Low Outside>> Inside (INTO cell)
Na will spontaneously move INTO the cell, where there is less Na.
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