The action of the Na+/K+ pump causes the intracellular fluid to be more ___________ than the extracellular fluid.
The action of the Na+/K+ pump causes the intracellular fluid to be more negatively charged than the extracellular fluid.
The action of the Na+/K+ pump causes the intracellular fluid to be more NEGATIVELY CHARGED than the extracellular fluid.
The action of the Na+/K+ pump causes the intracellular fluid to be more negative than the extracellular fluid.
To understand why this is the case, let's break down how the Na+/K+ pump works. The Na+/K+ pump is an active transport protein found in the plasma membrane of cells. It actively transports sodium ions (Na+) out of the cell while bringing potassium ions (K+) into the cell. This transportation occurs against their concentration gradients, meaning that it requires energy in the form of ATP.
The Na+/K+ pump pumps three sodium ions out of the cell for every two potassium ions it pumps in. This results in a net loss of positive charge from the cell, as more positive sodium ions are pumped out compared to the positive potassium ions being brought in.
This net loss of positive charge by the Na+/K+ pump creates an electrical imbalance across the cell membrane. The inside of the cell becomes more negatively charged relative to the outside, leading to a potential difference known as the membrane potential. This membrane potential is critical for various cellular processes, including the transmission of nerve impulses and the maintenance of cell volume.
In conclusion, the action of the Na+/K+ pump causes the intracellular fluid to be more negative than the extracellular fluid due to the net loss of positive charge from the cell during active transport.