Question

The sodium-potassium pump is involved in active transport that moves 3 sodium ions from the cell for every 2 potassium ions it moves into the cell. Which of these best explains why energy is needed for active transport?.

Answer 1

Answer:

The sodium-potassium pump is an active transporter because it needs to move sodium and potassium ions against the concentration gradient.

Explanation:

You have to think of it as outside vs inside the cell.

Outside the cell, you have 5mM K and 150mM Na. Inside the cell, you have 100mM K and 10mM sodium. Without the transporter then the ions would go from greater concentration to lower concentration.  Energy keeps the ions going from the way they would naturally happen.