Question

A type of transport protein found in the plasma membrane of cells lining the inside of the intestine allows sodium ions to diffuse down their concentration gradient. The ions move through the transport protein, and into the cell. These transport proteins will use the kinetic energy of the diffusing sodium ions to bring glucose into the cells as well. This transport protein would best be described as ________.

a. Stopping the activity of the sodium potassium pump.
b. Increasing the concentration of glucose outside of the cell.
c. Lowering the energy of activation.
d. Increasing the number of digestive enzymes in the digestive tract.

Answer 1

I think you may have confused the question with the answer options for it. I have researched the question and their possible answers and these would be the answer options for it.

1. If the question´s statement is: This transport protein would best be described as:___, then the correct answer for it would be: a symporter, meaning that the movement of a molecule as big as glucose would depend on the energy that the movement of sodium through the channel would provide to the transport protein so it can bring glucose into the cell. The options that you give for answering here do not match with what the correct answer would have to be, for the statement.

2. If the question´s statement is, however: which of the following would stop transport of glucose through this transport protein, then the options that you provide for answer match, and the correct choice would be: A: Stopping the activity of the sodium-potassium pump. The reason for it is that the transport molecule can only be activated thanks to the energy produced by the pumping of sodium in and out of the cell. Without sodium being pumped through the channel, then the energy will not be provided and the symporter protein will not be able to carry glucose into the cell.