Question

In nerve cells, the amount of positively charged potassium ions inside the cell is much higher than the amount outside the cell. For the cell to take up more potassium, which process is required?

Answer 1

The process required for nerve cells to take up more potassium ions, despite a higher internal concentration, is active transport via the sodium-potassium pump, which uses ATP to move ions against the concentration gradient.

Step-by-step explanation:

For nerve cells to take up more potassium when there is already a higher concentration of potassium ions inside the cell compared to the outside, the process required is called active transport. This active transport is carried out by a specific protein known as the sodium-potassium pump or Na+/K+ ATPase. This pump uses energy from ATP to move potassium ions (K+) into the cell against their concentration gradient, while expelling sodium ions (Na+) out of the cell.

The action of the sodium-potassium pump is vital for maintaining the resting membrane potential of the neuron, which is crucial for nerve impulse transmission. The pump operates by moving three sodium ions outside of the neuron and bringing two potassium ions inside for each ATP molecule consumed. This process not only balances ion concentration but also contributes to the net negative charge inside the neuron compared to the outside environment.