If a positively charged ion is more concentrated inside the cell, the electrical forces required to balance the chemical gradient would be directed________ . Thus, the equilibrium potential for this
Ion would be________ charged.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

EFor a positively charged ion that is more concentrated inside the cell, the electrical forces required to balance the chemical gradient would be directed inward to prevent the ion from diffusing out. This creates a situation where the inside of the cell becomes more negative to balance the outward chemical gradient, leading to a negatively charged equilibrium potential. Additionally, the inward direction of electrical forces supports the idea of attracting the positively charged ions back into the cell, which aligns with choice E, indicating the equilibrium potential would be inwardly directed and the cell would be more positively charged to attract the ions back in, correcting the initial imbalance.

If a Positively Charged Ion Is More Concentrated Inside the Cell