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The Na+/K+ ATPase of the plasma membrane catalyzes the exchange of Na+ and K+ io

ID: 770440 • Letter: T

Question

The Na+/K+ ATPase of the plasma membrane catalyzes the exchange of Na+ and K+ ions across the membrane. From the following list of statements, select all that correctly describe features or properties of this transport system. Pumps Na+ ions out of the cell. Pumps Na+ ions into the cell. Pumps K+ ions out of the cell. Pumps K+ ions into the cell. Exchanges 3 Na+ ions for 2 K+ ions. Exchanges 3 K+ ions for 2 Na+ ions. Creates a membrane potential that is negative on the inside. Creates a membrane potential that is positive on the inside. The transport protein becomes phosphorylated by ATP during the transport cycle. The transport protein becomes adenylated by ATP during the transport cycle.

Explanation / Answer

correct statements: 1,4,5,7,9 Mechanism: The pump, while binding ATP, binds 3 intracellular Na+ ions.[1] ATP is hydrolyzed, leading to phosphorylation of the pump at a highly conserved aspartate residue and subsequent release of ADP. A conformational change in the pump exposes the Na+ ions to the outside. The phosphorylated form of the pump has a low affinity for Na+ ions, so they are released. The pump binds 2 extracellular K+ ions. This causes the dephosphorylation of the pump, reverting it to its previous conformational state, transporting the K+ ions into the cell. The unphosphorylated form of the pump has a higher affinity for Na+ ions than K+ ions, so the two bound K+ ions are released. ATP binds, and the process starts again.