Question

Describe K+ regards to the [] and the charge of the ion.

a) Positive charge, intracellular concentration
b) Positive charge, extracellular concentration
c) Negative charge, intracellular concentration
d) Negative charge, extracellular concentration

Answer 1

K+ ions have a positive charge and a higher intracellular concentration, with the cell interior being negatively charged due to other factors like the sodium-potassium pump. The correct otion is a) Positive charge, intracellular concentration.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ion K+ carries a positive charge and has a higher concentration inside the cell, which is the intracellular concentration. This details the electrochemical gradient, where the ion's movement is influenced by both its chemical concentration and the electrical charge present across the cell membrane.

Due to the sodium-potassium pump, which actively transports potassium ions into the cell and sodium ions out, together with the presence of negatively charged proteins inside the cell, the interior of the cell maintains a negative net charge relative to the extracellular fluid.

Therefore, although the electrical gradient encourages potassium ions to move into the cell due to the negative charge within, the high intracellular concentration of potassium ions drives them out, creating an outward concentration gradient for K+.