What happens when an electrical gradient and a chemical gradient are applying opposite forces to active transport?
Answers
Explanation:
The Electro-chemical Gradient. The active transport of ions across the cell membrane causes an electrical gradient to build up across this membrane. The number of positively charged ions outside the cell is usually greater than the number of positively charged ions in the cytosol.
To move substances against a concentration or electrochemical gradient, the cell must utilize energy in the form of ATP during active transport. Primary active transport, which is directly dependent on ATP, moves ions across a membrane and creates a difference in charge across that membrane.
EXPLANATION:
In a cell, there are two types of gradients: electrical and chemical. The electrical gradient is form by the total charge of positive and negative charges present across the membrane. The chemical gradient is formed by the concentration of ions across the membrane. Together it is known as electrochemical gradient that in usually act in opposite directions.
Active transport is the process where ions are pumped across the membrane through ion pumps against this electrochemical gradient. This transport maintains ion balance across membranes and is an energy-dependent process. The ATP is supplied by the cell’s metabolic activities.