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GATE 2021 CY – Question 53

Inorganic Chemistry · Bioinorganic Chemistry: Ion (Na+ and K+) transport, oxygen binding, transport and utilization, electron transfer reactions, nitrogen fixation, metalloenzymes containing magnesium, molybdenum, iron, cobalt, copper and zinc. · 2 marks · Multiple select

The correct statement(s) about the concentration of Na+ and K+ ions in animal cells is/are:

  1. [K+] inside the cell > [K+] outside the cell
  2. [Na+] inside the cell > [Na+] outside the cell
  3. [Na+] inside the cell < [Na+] outside the cell
  4. [K+] inside the cell < [K+] outside the cell

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Correct answer: (A) [K+] inside the cell > [K+] outside the cell; (C) [Na+] inside the cell < [Na+] outside the cell

Explanation

Animal cells maintain high intracellular K+ and low intracellular Na+ relative to the extracellular fluid. The Na+/K+-ATPase sustains these gradients by exporting three Na+ and importing two K+ per ATP hydrolysed.

Thus **A and C** are true, while B and D reverse the gradients.