Answer:
a: Calculate the energy required to transport 3 Na+ outside the cell, and that required to transport 2 K+ inside the cell separately as shown below-
Given- [Na ], Ex Cell Na moves from (reactant/origin site) cell to (product/destination site) blood plasma. [Na ], in cell 15
[K ], Ex cell Given- [K*], in Cell 140 mM 2.7 mM Na moves from (reactant/origin site) cell to (product/destination site) blood
# Now, total energy required to simultaneously transport 3 Na+ out and 2K+ inside the cell = energy required for (3Na+ transport + 2 K+ transport)
= 36.15 kJ mol-1 + 8.00 kJ mol-1 = 44.00 kJ mol-1
b: Enthalpy of ATP hydrolysis = -30.5 kJ mol-1
That is, Energy released from hydrolysis of 1 mol ATP = 30.5
Conclusion: Since the energy released from hydrolysis of 1 mol ATP is LESSER than that of the energy required for simultaneous transport of (3Na+ transport + 2 K+ transport), the hydrolysis of a single mol ATP is NOT sufficient to drive the Na+-K+ pump under given conditions.