Question

At rest, a neuron has a lower concentration of sodium than the surrounding fluid. The neuron also has a higher concentration of potassium inside the cell. The sodium-potassium ion pump is used to maintain the neuron in the resting state. Which of the following statements is true?

a. Remaining at rest requires the use of ATP.
b. Remaining at rest requires an input of sodium.
c. Remaining at rest requires the activation of cotransporters.
d. Remaining at rest requires decreased permeability of the membrane.

Answer 1

a. Remaining at rest requires the use of ATP.

Step-by-step explanation:

The resting membrane potential is maintained by the sodium-potassium pump. The sodium potassium pump does this by actively pumping sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions inside the cell in a ratio of 3:2. This movement of ions by the sodium-potassium pump is against their concentration gradient. In a neuron at rest, there are more sodium ions outside the cell than there are inside the cell. Also, there are are more potassium ions inside the cell than there are outside the cell. However, there are ion channels through which these ions enter and leave the cell. Sodium ion channels allow sodium to enter the cell following its concentration gradient, whereas, potassium ion channels allow potassium to leave the cell following its concentration gradient. However, more potassium ions leave the cell than do sodium ions enter the cell because of the higher permeability of the cell to potassium ions.

In order to maintain the resting membrane potential, the sodium potassium pump powered by the hydrolysis of an ATP molecules pumps sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell.

Therefore, the correct option is A, as ATP is needed by the sodium-potassium pump in order to maintain the resting membrane potential.