Medical College Admission Test
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems

Impact of ATP Depletion on Ion Transport

Hard Biology Homeostasis And Transport

Homeostasis is a critical aspect of biological systems that allows organisms to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes. One key component of homeostasis in cells is the regulation of ion transport across cell membranes. In particular, the sodium-potassium pump (Na+/K+ ATPase) plays a vital role in this process. This pump actively transports sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell against their concentration gradients, utilizing ATP to function. Consider a scenario where a cell is subjected to a condition in which the ATP supply is depleted. Which of the following outcomes is most likely to occur due to the lack of ATP for the Na+/K+ ATPase activity?

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