Final answer:
The higher concentration of ions inside cells compared to outside can be caused by active transport. Active transport uses energy from ATP to move substances up their electrochemical gradients.
Step-by-step explanation:
The higher concentration of an ion inside cells compared to outside can be caused by active transport. Active transport uses energy from ATP to move substances up their electrochemical gradients and requires integral proteins in the cell membrane called pumps to move the materials. Some pumps couple directly with ATP to drive their action, while in co-transport, energy from primary transport is used to move another substance into the cell and up its concentration gradient.