Different Concentrations of Ions on Either Side of a Cell

question 77

Short Answer

Different concentrations of ions on either side of a cell membrane constitute a concentration cell, which is described by the Nernst equation given below. A cell must expend energy to maintain this concentration gradient by moving ions from one side of the membrane to the other. How much energy must be expended to transport 1 mole of sodium ions across a membrane when the sodium ion concentration is 0.10 M on one side of the membrane and 0.010 M on the other side, and the temperature is 37C (body temperature)?
(Given: ,  2.71 V; F  96,485 C; 1 J  1 C V; R  8.315 J / (mol K))
E  E - InQ

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Definitions:

Oxygen

A chemical element essential for aerobic respiration in living organisms, playing a crucial role in energy production within cells.

Carbon

A chemical element with symbol C and atomic number 6, known as the basis of all known life and the fourth most abundant element in the universe by mass.

Hydrogen

The lightest and most abundant element in the universe, consisting of one proton and one electron, and widely used in chemical reactions and as a potential clean energy source.

Microglia

Specialized glial cells in the brain and spinal cord that act as macrophages, cleaning up debris and dead cells.