Final answer:
The sodium-potassium pump moves Na+ out and K+ in against their respective chemical gradients. Na+ also moves against its electrical gradient, while K+ moves with its electrical gradient.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sodium-potassium pump, also known as Na+/K+ ATPase, is crucial for maintaining the electrochemical gradients across cell membranes. This pump operates on active transport mechanisms, using ATP to move ions against their gradients. Specifically, the pump moves sodium ions (Na+) out of the cell against both their chemical and electrical gradients, as the cell's interior is negatively charged compared to the exterior. In contrast, potassium ions (K+) are transported into the cell against their chemical gradient but along their electrical gradient due to the interior's negative charge.
Accordingly, the correct answers for the question about what is consistent with the Na-K pump and the illustration are:
- a) Na ions are pumped against their electrical gradient.
- d) Na ions are pumped against their chemical gradient.
The statement regarding potassium ions being pumped against an electrical gradient is not accurate, as the negative interior actually favors the import of positively charged potassium ions.