Question

what could happen if the sodium - potassium pump in a cell did not work as expected?
a sodium and potassium would move inside the cell
b sodium would move outside the cell, and potassium would move inside the cell
c sodium would move inside the cell, and potassium would move outside the cell
d sodium and potassium would move outside the cell

Explanation:

The sodium - potassium pump normally pumps 3 sodium ions out of the cell and 2 potassium ions into the cell. If it malfunctions, the normal ion - gradient maintenance fails. Sodium ions, which are more concentrated outside the cell under normal conditions, would start moving into the cell down their concentration gradient, and potassium ions, which are more concentrated inside the cell under normal conditions, would move outside the cell down their concentration gradient.

Answer:

C. Sodium would move inside the cell, and potassium would move outside the cell