This is a community of those using "Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding"

Elementary Science Education

Active transport

Viewing 0 reply threads
  • Author
    Posts
    • #7998

      Bernard Nebel
      Keymaster

      Experimentation has shown that cells actively pump potassium ions (K+) in and pump sodium ions (Na+) out against concentration gradients. Since this goes against the natural process of diffusion, students can guess that it requires energy and it does.  Cells expend ATP (ATP –>ADP + P + energy) in this process. The conclusion is that cells maintain water balance by pumping salt ions in or out; water follows. (A an animated depiction of this may be seen the summary video at the end of the next section.)

Viewing 0 reply threads
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.