The concentrations of ions are very different inside and outside a nerve cell due to which of the following?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The concentration differences of ions inside and outside a nerve cell are mainly due to the active transport of ions through sodium-potassium pumps. These pumps use energy to move sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell, creating concentration gradients that are central to many cellular processes, including nerve impulse transmission. Osmosis and diffusion can play a role in creating concentration gradients, but they are not the primary mechanisms involved in maintaining the ionic concentrations across the nerve cell membrane. Symporters and antiporters could theoretically contribute to ion transport, but they are not as directly involved in maintaining the concentration gradients as the sodium-potassium pumps. Temperature is not a significant factor in establishing ion concentration gradients.

The Concentrations of Ions Are Very Different Inside and Outside