The sodium/potassium pump is an example of
fascilitated diffusion
an antiporter
passive transport
secondary active transport
a symporter
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is: an antiporter
Explanation (300 words):
The sodium/potassium pump (Na⁺/K⁺ pump), also known as Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, is a classic example of an antiporter, a type of membrane transport protein that moves two or more ions or molecules in opposite directions across a membrane. Specifically, the sodium/potassium pump moves three sodium ions (Na⁺) out of the cell and two potassium ions (K⁺) into the cell during each cycle, against their respective concentration gradients.
This pump is also an example of primary active transport, as it requires direct energy input in the form of ATP to function. The ATP is hydrolyzed to provide the energy necessary to change the conformation of the pump and move the ions against their gradients.
The sodium/potassium pump is not an example of facilitated diffusion or passive transport, because both of those processes move substances down their concentration gradients and do not require energy. In contrast, the Na⁺/K⁺ pump works against gradients and requires ATP.
It is also not a symporter, which is a transport protein that moves two substances in the same direction across a membrane. Since the sodium and potassium ions are transported in opposite directions, the Na⁺/K⁺ pump does not qualify as a symporter.
Lastly, while secondary active transport involves the use of a gradient established by primary active transport (usually sodium), the Na⁺/K⁺ pump itself creates such a gradient. Therefore, it is not a secondary active transporter but rather the mechanism that makes secondary active transport possible in many cells.
In summary, the Na⁺/K⁺ pump is an antiporter that uses primary active transport to maintain cellular ion balance, essential for processes like nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and maintaining resting membrane potential.
