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Poisoning the Na+/K+ pump would

A. generate a more negative membrane potential.
B. increase cellular permeability to Na+.
C. inhibit secondary active transport.
D. increase cellular permeability to K+.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Poisoning the Na+/K+ pump would inhibit secondary active transport by disrupting the electrochemical gradient important for the process.

Step-by-step explanation:

Poisoning the Na+/K+ pump would inhibit secondary active transport. The pump maintains the electrochemical gradient by actively transporting 3 Na+ ions out of the cell and 2 K+ ions into the cell. This creates a net negative charge inside the cell facilitating secondary active transport. Inhibition of the pump would disrupt this gradient, thus impeding secondary transport that relies on the energy stored in the gradients of Na+ and K+.

User Igor Parra
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