Chapter 6 Study Questions

  1. What does Nernst equation describe? If the current carried by K+ ions diffusing through a K+ channel is plotted against the membrane potential, at what potential will the direction of current reverse?

    Textbook Reference: Transport of Ions across Membrane Barriers, pp. 147–148; Membrane Transport Processes, p. 152

  2. What is meant by the term “active transport”? What is the difference between primary and secondary active transport?

    Textbook Reference: Transport of Ions across Membrane Barriers, pp. 147–148; Membrane Transport Processes, pp. 151–154

  3. Membrane channels and carriers both show changes in protein conformation. What is the role of such conformation changes in: (1) channels, and (2) carriers?

    Textbook Reference: Membrane Transport Processes, pp. 150–154

  4. How can the operation of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase affect: (1) the diffusion of K+ through membrane channels, and (2) the accumulation of sugars from the apoplast into the cell?

    Textbook Reference: Membrane Transport Processes, pp. 151–154

  5. Detection of external signals by plant cells often results in a transient rise in the concentration of Ca2+ ions in the cytoplasm. What transport processes can cause such an increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+, and what transport processes can remove the excess Ca2+ and restore the level of Ca2+ to its resting state? 

    Textbook Reference: Membrane Transport Proteins, pp. 158–159

  6. In the transport of an ion from the soil solution to the xylem, what is the minimum number of times it must cross a cell membrane? What transport mechanisms are likely to be involved at each membrane?

    Textbook Reference: Ion Transport in Roots, pp. 163–165

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