Question

A concentration gradient is kept in your cell with K⁺ higher on the inside and Na⁺ higher on the outside (in a ratio of 2:3). If something outside of your cell were to absorb all the K⁺ ions, what would happen to this transportation? Why?

Answer 1

In a cell with higher concentrations of K⁺ on the inside and Na⁺ on the outside, the concentration gradient drives Na⁺ ions into the cell while the concentration gradient of K⁺ ions drives them out. The electrical gradient inside the cell attracts the positive Na⁺ ions inward and attracts the positive K⁺ ions back into the cell.

Step-by-step explanation:

The transportation of ions across the cell membrane is driven by both concentration gradients and electrical gradients. In the case of a cell with higher concentrations of K+ on the inside and Na+ on the outside, the Na+ ions tend to move into the cell while the K+ ions tend to move out of the cell. This is because the concentration gradient drives Na+ ions into the cell, and the electrical gradient, which is a result of the negative charge inside the cell, attracts the positive Na+ ions inward. On the other hand, the concentration gradient of K+ ions drives them out of the cell, but the electrical gradient also attracts them back into the cell.