Question

multiple choice question
the sodium-potassium pump actively pumps ______.

○ both sodium and potassium ions out of the cell
○ sodium ions into the cell and potassium ions out of the cell
○ both sodium and potassium ions into the cell
○ sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell

Explanation:

The sodium - potassium pump is an active transport mechanism in cells. It uses ATP to move 3 sodium ions ($\text{Na}^+$) out of the cell and 2 potassium ions ($\text{K}^+$) into the cell. This helps in maintaining the electrochemical gradient across the cell membrane.

Answer:

D. sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell (assuming the last option is labeled D, if the original options were labeled A - D with the last one being the correct one as per the explanation)