Question

Oxygen diffuses from blood into cells down its concentration gradient. As cells become more active and oxidative phosphorylation increases in the cell, which of the following occurs?

a) Oxygen diffusion rate decreases.
b) Oxygen concentration gradient increases.
c) Oxygen diffusion rate increases.
d) Oxygen equilibrium potential becomes positive.

Answer 1

As cells become more active and oxidative phosphorylation increases in the cell, the oxygen diffusion rate increases.

Step-by-step explanation:

Oxygen diffuses from the blood into cells down its concentration gradient. As cells become more active and oxidative phosphorylation increases in the cell, the oxygen diffusion rate increases. This is because the higher activity level and higher concentration of hydrogen ions in the mitochondrial intermembranous space create a steeper concentration gradient, driving the movement of oxygen into the cell.