A type of transport protein found in the plasma membrane of cells lining the inside of the intestine allows sodium ions to diffu

Question

3 months ago

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A type of transport protein found in the plasma membrane of cells lining the inside of the intestine allows sodium ions to diffu

se down their concentration gradient. The ions move through the transport protein, and into the cell. These transport proteins will use the kinetic energy of the diffusing sodium ions to bring glucose into the cells as well. This transport protein would best be described as
a. Stopping the activity of the sodium potassium pump.
b. Increasing the concentration of glucose outside of the cell.
c. Lowering the energy of activation.
d. Increasing the number of digestive enzymes in the digestive tract.

Biology

1 answer:

inysia [2.3K] · Answer 1 · 2026-03-17T17:33:13+03:00

The best descriptor for the transport protein is the sodium potassium pump's function. However, none of the other alternatives are accurate. Halting the sodium potassium pump’s function is incorrect as it is the sole mechanism for moving proteins into the cell. If this action is inhibited, damage to heart and intestine cells could occur. Increasing glucose concentration outside the cell is also erroneous, as glucose generally moves out of the cell under normal conditions; correct action would be to decrease glucose concentration outside the cell to retain it inside. Lowering activation energy does not pertain to this situation, nor does increasing digestive enzyme presence.