Question

What happens when the concentration of K+ ions is increased outside a nerve cell affecting the rate of transportation through a transporter?

A) The transporter becomes saturated with K+ ions, slowing down the rate of transportation.
B) The transporter becomes more efficient, leading to a steady increase in the rate of transportation.
C) The increased concentration causes the transporter to malfunction, reducing the rate of transportation.
D) The cell membrane becomes impermeable to K+ ions, causing a plateau in transportation rate.

Answer 1

The transporter becomes saturated with K+ ions, slowing down the rate of transportation.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the concentration of K+ ions is increased outside a nerve cell, it affects the rate of transportation through a transporter. The correct answer is A) The transporter becomes saturated with K+ ions, slowing down the rate of transportation. There are a finite number of carrier proteins in the membrane, and when all of them are bound to K+ ions, they are saturated. Increasing the concentration gradient at this point will not result in an increased rate of transport.