alleryStart learning →In one cycle, the sodium-potassium pump moves ions in which ratio?
ATwo sodium out for every three potassium in
BThree sodium in for every two potassium out
CThree sodium out for every two potassium in
DOne sodium out for every one potassium in
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Three sodium out for every two potassium in
1. The sodium-potassium pump maintains the electrochemical gradient and the correct concentrations of sodium and potassium in living cells.
2. It moves potassium into the cell while moving sodium out at the same time.
3. The ratio is three sodium ions out for every two potassium ions moved in.
4. Reversing the directions would build up sodium inside, which is the opposite of the concentrations a living cell maintains.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 5 "Structure and Function of Plasma Membranes", section 5.3 Active Transport_
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