Question

The regulation of the Na-K pump is critical to the health of an organism. It disobeys one rule we usually think of in cell transport because the movement of these ions goes against the concentration gradient. The pump mechanism is triggered by what within the bi-lipid layer?

A. Phospholipids

B. Nerve endings

C. Hydrophobic ends

D. Membrane proteins

You can choose the correct answer from these options.

Answer 1

The sodium-potassium pump is activated by membrane proteins within the cell's phospholipid bilayer, which utilize ATP to transport Na+ and K+ ions against their concentration gradients. Option a.

Step-by-step explanation:

The sodium-potassium pump, a crucial mechanism for maintaining the electrochemical gradient of cells, functions by actively transporting sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) ions against their respective concentration gradients. This process requires energy in the form of ATP and is facilitated by specific membrane proteins embedded within the cell's lipid bilayer. Hence, the pump mechanism is triggered by membrane proteins within the bi-lipid layer.

These membrane proteins are responsible for carrying out the active transport of ions, performing work that helps establish membrane potential and overall cellular homeostasis. For every cycle of the pump, three sodium ions are moved out of the cell, and two potassium ions are moved in, which is essential for functions such as nerve signal transmission. The continuous function of the sodium-potassium pump is vital for sustaining life, and it consumes a significant portion of a cell's ATP to perform this energetically unfavorable task.