Question

An amino acid is transported into cells via secondary active transport. Administration of a drug that blocks the activity of the Na/K ATP-ase would have what effect on the transportation of this amino acid into the cell?

A. Increased transport.
B. Decreased transport.
C. No change in transport.

Answer 1

B. Decreased transport.

Blocking the Na/K ATPase would lead to a decrease in the secondary active transport of amino acids into the cell because it disrupts the sodium ion gradient required for this process.

Step-by-step explanation:

Secondary active transport depends on the electrochemical gradient established by primary active transport, such as the Na/K ATPase. This pump maintains a higher concentration of sodium ions outside of the cell than inside.

Blocking the Na/K ATPase with a drug would disrupt this gradient, leading to a decrease in amino acid transport into the cell because the energy source for the transport is diminished.

Without the gradient, secondary active transport cannot function efficiently, as it relies on the sodium ions moving down their concentration gradient to drive the transport of amino acids into the cell in a process known as cotransport.